Name: Julia Ringenberg (FR/Elkhorn, Neb.)
Sport: Women's Volleyball
 
Chosen Attribute of God: Holiness
Dictionary definition: The state of being holy, set apart.
Your definition: My definition of God's holiness is the way that He is set apart, pure and perfect in every way.
 
What is your favorite Scripture that deals with Attribute?
1 Peter 1:15-16: "Be holy because I am holy."
 
Why did you choose this passage?
I chose this message, or this passage, because I just think that I love that it, calls us as believers into pursuing after the holiness that we see in God.  Because we're called to pursue after that holiness and through sanctification, we're able to become more holy, but it's just so important to recognize that the reason and the way that we're able to do that is because of God and because of how holy and set-apart and completely above us He is.  Yet He still came down in His Son, and now we're able to, through the Spirit, be sanctified and become more holy.  I just think that that's a beautiful picture of Jesus' love.
 
How does this Attribute affect you as an athlete?
I think that this attribute affects me as an athlete because, when you recognize God's holiness, you recognize the call to be holy and to be set apart. And I think it just calls me to constantly be trying to get better and to be set apart as a leader, a player, a teammate, and a person in general. I also think it's cool because I'm able to worship Jim and proclaim that He is holy through using the gifts that He's given me in volleyball. And one other way that I think it affects me as an athlete is, I'm not playing for performance. I'm playing for Him in that way. And just being able to rest and know that my performance does not define me, and that God is what defines me and what He thinks of me.
 
How do you apply the Attribute to life?
I think that you can apply this attribute to life, and when someone does apply it to life, I think it looks like having a constant awe of who God is. And I think it's like having childlike faith and constantly coming back to worship and lifting Him up, which is more than just songs. It's how you live your everyday life, and recognizing every single day that He is holy, He is set apart, and He is so much greater than we could ever think, believe, or imagine. And I just think that when you recognize that He is holy, the only real response that you can have to that is lifting him up in every way that you can. And practically speaking, I think that when someone lives in a way that where they're constantly thinking of God's holiness, it looks like constantly speaking of Him. I can think of people in my life who are constantly speaking about Jesus, and I think that's what recognition of His holiness looks like.
 
Share a tip that helps you to be a Christ-like Competitor/leader?
On tip that helps me be a better leader is looking at how Jesus led people. When Jesus led people, He served them. I try my best to focus on serving my teammates and helping them to succeed.
  
Jesus is Awesome because?
Jesus is awesome because He meets us where we are at. He reaches out, He initiates the relationship, and He loves us despite all of our brokenness. I just love that He is constantly drawing us nearer wanting more of us.

What is your favorite memory with your team here at VU?
My favorite memory with the team was beating Point Loma. The entire game was so high energy and exciting, and we fought so hard as a team to get that win!
 
What role do you want your team to play in the community?
I want my team to play a connected role in the community. I want us to be known for our kindness and presence.
 
What would you want prospective athletes to know about being a Lion at Vanguard?
As an athlete at Vanguard, you will be pushed spiritually, mentally, and physically, and because of that you will grow so much.
 
What makes Vanguard different?
Vanguard is different because of the small community and the foundation on Jesus. Because it is a smaller school, there is more sense of community which I love. Also, there are so many people on fire for Jesus and it is so cool to see that.
 
How has your life changed through VU?
My life has been changed through VU because I moved halfway across the country and I was really scared because I didn't know anyone, and I found such an amazing community of girls through volleyball and outside of volleyball.  There's just been so many amazing people that I've met, and I've met some of my best friends, and I love that I've been given the opportunity to be here.