We were raised as Christians, and religion plays an important

In the steady humility of his heart, Niko Kovač, the Croatian footballer and coach, once said: “We were raised as Christians, and religion plays an important role for us.” These words, though spoken simply, resound with a profound truth about the shaping power of faith and the inheritance of the spirit. They remind us that the roots of one’s upbringing — the values, rituals, and beliefs learned in childhood — become the quiet compass that guides a person through the triumphs and tempests of life. For religion, when lived with sincerity, is not a chain that binds, but a light that steadies the path through shadow.

The origin of this reflection lies in Kovač’s life, molded by the intertwined legacies of family, nation, and faith. Born in Croatia, a land whose history has been scarred by conflict and yet redeemed by perseverance, he grew up in a culture where Christianity was more than belief — it was identity, memory, and moral foundation. In those years of struggle, when war and division tested the hearts of men, the faith of his people became a fortress. From such soil, Kovač’s words rise not as mere sentiment but as a testimony: that religion, when authentic, nurtures courage, gratitude, and unity. It gives strength not only to win battles on the field, but to withstand the trials of life itself.

To say that one was “raised as a Christian” is to say that one was taught to see beyond the self — to measure greatness not by power, but by humility; not by victory alone, but by the grace with which one meets defeat. The Christian faith, at its core, teaches the sacred paradox that the first shall be last, and that true strength is born from service. For Kovač, as for many who walk the demanding road of leadership, this teaching becomes a shield against pride and a compass for justice. It whispers in moments of temptation, “Remember where you came from.” It calls even the successful to kneel, to give thanks, to remain human amid glory.

Consider the story of Eric Liddell, the Scottish runner whose faith became legend. At the 1924 Olympics, he refused to compete on a Sunday, choosing conscience over fame. The world called him foolish; history called him faithful. His belief, like Kovač’s, was not an ornament worn for display, but a conviction lived in silence and integrity. Liddell ran his race not for medals but for God — and in doing so, he revealed the power of faith not as a doctrine of words, but as a way of being. His life, like Kovač’s reflection, teaches that religion is not confined to prayer or temple, but found in every act done with love, honesty, and devotion.

Yet, in our modern age, many forget the wisdom of the ancients — that faith is not weakness but strength, not division but foundation. The world tells us to worship success, to kneel before fame and wealth; but the spirit, when rooted in religion, whispers that all things pass except virtue. To be raised in faith is to learn to live with purpose — to work hard, to act honorably, and to forgive, even when the heart would rather fight. Such lessons endure longer than trophies; they outlast kingdoms and careers. The role of religion in one’s life, then, is not to limit freedom, but to shape it — to give it direction, meaning, and moral weight.

There is, too, a deeper lesson hidden in Kovač’s words: that no man stands alone. His “we” — “We were raised as Christians” — reminds us that faith is not a solitary path, but a shared journey. It binds families, generations, and communities together in common hope. It is in the prayers of mothers, the wisdom of elders, and the courage of those who endure. To forget that bond is to forget who we are. To remember it is to walk with gratitude, knowing that we are the fruit of the faith of those who came before.

So, my children, take this truth to heart: faith is not old-fashioned — it is eternal. Whatever your belief, live it not in words but in deeds. Let your actions be your prayer. When you succeed, give thanks; when you fail, seek strength in the higher good. Carry your faith not as a banner of pride, but as a flame of humility — a reminder that you are part of something greater than yourself. For as Niko Kovač said, religion plays an important role — not to separate us from others, but to root us in love, to steady us in trial, and to remind us that a life guided by spirit is a life that cannot be shaken.

And when your own journey becomes hard, remember this: the same faith that guided your ancestors, that sustained saints and dreamers, also lives within you. It whispers in the silence, “Endure, love, believe.” And in that whisper, you will find not only peace — but purpose.