Last summer, as I sat in Yosemite Valley looking up at the famous El Capitan rock formation, I realized that I needed to come to grips with some things that I did not like about myself. I took out a piece of paper, and on it, I made three columns. At the top I wrote “Who am I,” “What do I want to change,” and “How am I going to get there.” As I started to write, I found if difficult to be honest with myself. But after I was done, I realized two vital things: (1) Nothing could happen without Christ, and (2) my days of self-fulfillment needed to end.

As a former collegiate volleyball player and now high school and club volleyball coach I have always focused on winning, which, if taken to extremes, can be self-fulfilling and dangerous. I asked the the Lord to humble me and soften my heart so He could better use the gifts He has given me—use them for His will, and not my own. As a coach, I know He has called me to be a servant, and through that serving, His will for my life will be better fulfilled.

Don’t get me wrong, I still want to win. But now, when I look into the eyes of my players, I see what my purpose is: to be used as a tool of Christ—to guide, care for and serve those He has blessed me to watch over.

What about you? Whether you are a coach, athlete, businessman or whatever, as a Christian, you are called to serve those around you. Today, take the challenge to serve and love as Jesus did, knowing that by doing so, His will for your life will be better fulfilled.