Who Are You Without Sports?

Who Are You Without Sports?

written by Milena Ruiz

It’s a simple question and yet so complex. For many, sports is one of the first activities participated in after taking first steps. It’s where first friends are met. It’s where a sense of belonging is found and an understanding of what competition, discipline and winning/losing feels like. Sports is woven through grade school memories, and can even be the place where someone begins dreaming what it would be like to be Michael Jordan, Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams, A-Rod or Tiger Woods. Sports at a young age can become part of every facet of life and deeply rooted in who someone is and becomes.

So when the question “who are you without sports” is raised amongst athletes, the question can become a bit overwhelming. Three weeks ago, this question was asked to middle school aged track athletes at an FCA Huddle led by Jill Benavides, FCA sponsor and world history teacher/track and field Coach at Fruit Cove Middle School. As Jill prepared for the Huddle, she began searching through FCA devotionals she had been given by an FCA staff member in order to find encouragement to share with her athletes. While doing so, she came across this question—Who are You Without Sports?—and it struck her deeply! She knew if it rattled her, it would likely do the same with her athletes. Sure enough, as Jill challenged them with this question, it rocked a few students and left them in tears. These students had no idea who they were without their sport. Their lives were intertwined with sports as long as they could remember. Now, sports had become the focal point of their future.

One athlete in particular had a moment of self-realization, sharing that she desired to be closer to God. She went on to make a commitment that night to grow closer to God. Jill reminded this athlete that she is defined by what God’s Word says, not what the world says; and nothing should replace her walk with God--not even sports. Although sports is a good thing, even good things can take our focus away from God, who desires to be 1^st place in our hearts. Our identities are in Christ first.

Incredibly, this same athlete felt God calling her to begin leading a girls Huddle. She led her first devotional with the same question, and by the end, three more girls gave their hearts to Christ! Jill was in awe of how God worked through the entire situation. That Huddle was supposed to have happened a week before, but something came up and it was delayed. Had it not been delayed; Jill wouldn’t have opened up the FCA devotional where God led her to that specific question. Had that question not been asked, her athletes may not have given their hearts to Christ that day. It’s amazing how God works!

Jill is now equipping leaders through FCA’s foundational discipleship curriculum, The CORE. As Jill takes her leaders through 8 CORE Essentials of the Christian faith in a text group, she is teaching her athletes how to apply what they are learning and how to use their testimonies to share Jesus with others. Jill reminds them that as they lead, they simply need to be who God has created them to be (not anyone else). In simply being who God created them to be, they will reach many athletes and minister more uniquely as God brings the opportunities.

The three girls that gave their hearts to Jesus have been given The CORE because they wanted to lead others through it. Jill sees these girls walking into “a position of Peter and Paul” as they step outside of their comfort zone to minister to others. Jill is encouraging them to listen to God’s voice in order to be used by Him, trusting that the Holy Spirit will prompt them in what they need to share with their peers. These three girls are helping other girls know that they are not alone as they share their own hardships and life experiences. Jill is excited to see how God will continue to use these three girls in His kingdom work as she watches them becoming stronger, more Godly women.

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, campus Huddles were paused as gathering restrictions came into place. Due to the pandemic, Jill and her husband Zeke started a running club that now leads 156 runners from 5 different schools. Months of isolation left many kids desperate to connect, so naturally the kids stayed late after practice and huddles began to form. Jill and Zeke are now facilitating 4 different Huddles that exist because of the pandemic! FCA praises God for the opportunity He created in the midst of difficulty. We also thank Jill and Zeke for their faithful stewardship and leading of what God has entrusted to them.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 

What's a Huddle?

As we seek to make disciples who make disciples, we engage, equip and empower coaches and athletes to know and grow in Christ and lead others to do the same. We do this through many different ways and environments. We identify spaces and places to cultivate relationships— individually or in groups—and we use Christ-centered Huddles, events, training and resources.

Huddles are certified small group Bible studies/devotions for coaches and athletes organized by FCA. We host them at various locations on and off campus—wherever coaches and athletes choose to gather.

About The CORE - 8 Essentials to Strengthen Your Faith

When you make a decision to follow Jesus, you are beginning the journey of a lifetime—a discipleship journey. This journey is a lifelong pursuit of becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ, or what we call, a disciple. A disciple is someone who is in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. The CORE gives you eight essentials on how to do just that. The CORE will help you be engaged in God’s Word, equipped on the basics of the faith, and empowered to help others grow in Jesus Christ. When you strengthen your CORE everything else benefits. TO learn more about The CORE visit: thecore.fca.org/