Athlete Identity Crisis: 30 Days to Understanding Your Identity in Christનમૂનો

Salt and Light

I had developed blisters on the heels of my feet that began to bleed midway through practice. By the end of the afternoon, the backs of my new white training shoes were stained red. Ted, a senior on the team, approached me as we were making our way toward the ice baths. Ted was not the most talented runner, but he worked his butt off. He was one of the best distance runners in the conference during his junior and senior years. He told me, “You’re gonna be one of the best to ever graduate from this school.”

He was way off.

I ended up having a pretty average running career. But more than twenty years later, I can still recall how much I valued and appreciated that comment. As athletes, we’re all impressionable and looking for encouragement wherever we can find it. We also carry influence with others by the way we choose to steward our words. Can you imagine a world where all of us showed the intentionality of Ted?

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:13-14 that our identity as His followers is to be salt and light in the world. Salt preserves and adds flavor. Light shines in darkness. That’s what athletes who follow Christ are called to do and to be with teammates.

This doesn’t mean you have to preach a sermon after every game or organize a prayer huddle (although that’s not a bad idea). It means living in such a way that others see Christ through you. Your attitude when you win or lose, the way you treat teammates and opponents, your words when you’re frustrated—all of it can either point people toward Jesus or push them away.

Salt and light stand out. They make a difference. Likewise, your identity in Christ isn’t meant to blend in with the world’s standards but to reflect His kingdom values.

Remember, your ultimate worth doesn’t come from being noticed or standing out. This should be an overflow of how you intentionally live out your faith. Even if only one teammate or coach sees Christ in you, that’s worth it. You may never know the impact you have, but God can use your faithfulness to change lives. What if a kind word or an encouragement offered today could stick with someone for the next twenty years?

Question to Consider: What opportunities do you have in your sport to be salt and light, and how can you intentionally reflect Christ in those moments?