The ancient Greeks believed that to achieve true fulfillment, one had to constantly work to improve himself mentally, physically, and spiritually. Today, it could be argued that the sports world is the last place where all three of these success components are so unapologetically intertwined.
While it’s become politically incorrect to talk about the spiritual side of success in most modern institutions, you’ll find that achievers in the sports world have no problem openly promoting the important role that spirituality plays in their success.
I believe this is because the sports world is so driven by results that achievers promote what works, regardless of whether it’s considered politically correct or popular. If it works, they use it. If it doesn’t work, they don’t. Period.
Hall of Fame running back Emmitt Smith talks openly about the role that his spiritual faith plays in his accomplishments. In the following passage, Smith reveals the crucial role he believes God has in whether our biggest dreams will come true…
Welcome your visions of a better life, dare to dream of what your heart deeply desires, and then pursue those dreams with all your heart, mind, body, and soul.
Know that whatever you lack, God will provide—given, of course, that you’ve opened your heart to what God wants in your life.
That’s important, because it’s a mistake to assume God will automatically support anything you happen to want or desire or picture for yourself. After all, not all dreams are from God. The people who brought my ancestors as slaves to America had a vision for all the money they could make with that particular “business venture.” I don’t believe God supported that. So if you want a truly winning life—something more than just “making it” in the world—it’s always important to check your dreams and desires against God’s standards of right and wrong.
At the same time, I don’t believe you actually need a specific vision from the Lord—like a voice in a dream or handwriting on the wall—in order to claim your dreams and go for them.
Many of our dreams, especially when we’re children, are simply part of the package God made when he put us on earth. They grow out of our interests and talents and yearnings and imaginations, combined with the circumstances we find ourselves in. They don’t have to involve a direct revelation from God.
– Emmitt Smith, from his book Game On: Find Your Purpose—Pursue Your Dream
I love how Smith explains the balancing act between courageously pursuing our desires and humbly questioning whether those desires were put in our hearts by God.
On the one hand, it’s a warning that we can find worldly success but fall short of happiness and fulfillment if our goals aren’t aligned with our true purpose. On the other hand, it’s inspiring to know that once we start chasing the dreams that God planted within us, we become unstoppable on the path to success!
When you align the spiritual component of success with the mental and physical components, the dreams in your heart start coming true. You start living your true purpose and you develop an edge that makes you UNSTOPPABLE in living out that purpose.
