Serving
Joshua Newberg - FCA staff, HS wrestling coach & former college wrestler
Ready:
“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross. For this reason God Highly exalted him…” – Philippians 2:5-9
Set:
Growing up as an athlete, my childhood revolved around wrestling. Eventually, this turned into the pursuit of gold medals for myself and my parents. Wrestling at a high-level involved strict training, dieting, money to travel to practices and tournaments and a full commitment from my family and myself towards these goals. My family served me and my wrestling goals.
As I went off to wrestle in college at Boise State, I served myself: my wants and even the desires of my flesh. This led to sin and trouble early in my college years – poor grades, substance use and suspension from the wrestling team. At the beginning of my third year at BSU, two men from an on-campus ministry called Cru, engaged me with the Gospel. I had heard it before but hadn’t fully surrendered my life to Jesus. After several months of consistent discipleship, I was committed to following Jesus and serving Him.
After graduating college, I continued my wrestling career in the form of coaching. After one tournament, when we were talking with our team about their performance, God clearly told me that I was missing Him in the way that I coached these athletes. In some ways I was still serving myself and now my athletes, so I found my way into an FCA Coaches Huddle. One year later I was on staff with FCA as the Idaho Wrestling Director. Now my passion is to serve God by building leaders in Christ through the sport of wrestling.
In the book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul talks about taking on the same attitude that Jesus had. Even though He was equal with God, He humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. During His time on earth, Jesus fed thousands of people, washed feet, performed hundreds and maybe thousands of healings, forgave sins and served God’s will. He did all of this without any expectation of money or praise from people, but out of complete surrender and service to God. He was even willing to die an excruciating and humiliating death so that through Faith in Jesus, we could be reconciled to God.
Go:
As a competitor, how are your personal goals serving your team? Do some goals need to be added or adjusted?
Who is the most serving person in your life? How can you model that person’s serving?
Set a goal this month to go out of your way to intentionally serve someone in your life.
Workout:
Overtime:
Father, we thank You for Your son Jesus’ example of humility, obedience, and servitude. We ask that You would remove our personal desires and anything that separates us from following You whole-heartedly. Put Your will and Your desires in our hearts and in our minds. Give us hearts of surrender and obedience to You so that we can be faithful servants of King Jesus. Let the way that we live and serve lead others to know You, Jesus. In Your mighty name we pray, amen.