During the 1980 Olympics, almost everyone expected that the Russian ice hockey team would defeat the United States team. Russia had won game after game against some of the finest professional teams in the world, and the amateurs from the United States didn’t seem to have a chance. The only thing uncertain was how big the Russian win would be. The United States’ victory is recalled by many as one of the most exciting in American sports history. But most people don’t know the words spoken to the United States team by Coach Herb Brooks just before the game - maybe one of the best pep talks in history. He simply said, "Gentlemen, you were born to play this game!"

The God who calls us, tells us: "You were born to reach out, to minister to a broken dying people. Do it well, do it with compassion because this is your function in the world."

Note: For a longer treatment of this illustration you can incorporate the coach's entire speech and pull out the memorable line "you were born to play this game" for emphases afterwards. Here's the full speech:

Great moments are born from great opportunity. And that’s what you have here, tonight, boys. That’s what you’ve earned here tonight.

One game… If we played ’em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game… Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can! Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world.

You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time. Their time is done. It’s over. I’m sick and tired of hearing about what a great hockey team the Soviets have. Screw ’em. This is your time. Now go out there and take it.

Clarification: Though this is the speech give by actor Kurt Russel in the movie "Miracle," the speech was written from the memory of team player Jack O'Callahan, and was confirmed as being pretty accurate by the rest of the 1980 team.