Quote

There is a direct connection between finding your passion and reaching your potential.

Germany Kent

Real Life

At college Deion Sanders excelled not only at football but also at baseball and track. He starred for Florida State in all three codes and went on to play professionally in both baseball and football.

Sanders came from a low socio-economic background which was sometimes a strong contrast to some of his team mates. In time he used that as fuel for his dreams, to make sure that his mother never had to work another low paying job.

It was unusual at college to compete in three different sports, but Sanders had the ability and desire to, so chose to do that. Likewise, very few professional athletes played both baseball and football, but for Sanders that was the right choice. Having chosen that pathway, Sanders went on to become the only athlete to ever hit a MLB home run and score a NFL touchdown in the same week. He also played in two NFL Superbowls and a MLB World Series. His non-typical pathway lead to a sports career with numerous accolades and records.

Sometimes, we feel that those around us have support and resources that we don’t and that our path feels harder. Sanders used his difficult background as fuel to push him onwards rather than allow it to hold him back. Sometimes in sport, the path that feels right to us can feel wrong to everyone else. While it is important to weigh up other people’s advice, ultimately, we are responsible before God for the choices we make and the pathways we take. Every sportsperson’s journey through life is unique. It is up to each of us to own who we are and who we want to become, and to choose the path that is the best way forward for us. We are blessed with a Heavenly Father who created us and knows us intimately, so who better to ask for guidance with our decisions about our future.

Bible Verses

You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence

Psalm 16:11

]The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him

Psalm 37:23

Prayer

Lord I thank You that You know the best path for me, help me to be wise enough to listen to Your prompting about the decisions I make.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley