Spiritual Formation | 5/1/2026 2:28:00 PM

Written by: Noah Kump
Over the years, I've learned that the best thing you can do when you experience something difficult is ask yourself, "What is God trying to teach me through this?" God's a pretty good teacher, and He'll usually give you a pretty good answer if you're ready to listen. Going into the 2025 season, I knew I would be asking that question a lot. That's the nature of sports—it's going to be difficult. The challenge of sports is what makes it such a joyful experience. What I didn't know was how early I'd be asking myself that question. The answer came pretty early.

In the first preseason game this year, at the University of Kentucky, I caught a cleat to the face. I had to get three stitches and suffered a concussion. I was only able to play one minute that day. I remember asking myself what God was trying to teach me. I ended up not being able to play soccer for a couple of weeks—right at the start of the season. It was a tough beginning and definitely not how I thought things would go. But looking back now, I can see the way God was working even more clearly than I could then.

Through this injury, God taught me about the true meaning of success—what it looks like through His eyes. When you grow up playing sports, your idea of success is shaped early: winning games, trophies, and awards. But God's definition of success looks different. Those things are still good, but He sees them through a different lens. So if those aren't the things that define success to God, what does?

I've found that Jesus is the best example of what godly success looks like. When I look at Jesus' life, I see success expressed through service. His mission was to serve others, and He ultimately did that by giving His life for us on the cross. On a much smaller scale, I learned through my injury that serving was also how I could be successful. I could no longer help the team with my on-field abilities, so I had to serve my teammates in different ways. That was the first thing God showed me about what true success means.

The second way God redefined success for me was by helping me understand His gifts and use them to the best of my ability. One Bible verse that was on my heart during this time was Colossians 3:23: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." I realized that each day God gives me to play the sport I love is a gift—and I need to make the most of it. I want to be present enough each day to truly enjoy it by God's standard of success. He has given me gifts and talents, and He wants to see me develop them. My focus began to shift toward seeking the Lord each day through serving and working with all my heart for Him.

This new definition of success has changed my joy. It's allowed me to be content in God's version of success. I've found that those who serve others and work wholeheartedly for the Lord are truly prosperous and fulfilled. That doesn't mean it's always easy. Sports can often distract from these truths, and I've learned that again this season as I got back into the rhythm of competition. But overall, I'd say I feel closer than ever to the Lord by playing soccer with Him in my heart. Every day I get to grow closer to Him through the game. I've had to ask myself, "What is God trying to teach me through this?" many more times this season—and each time, He's teaching me something new.