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

More Than Your Role or Position

Every team has roles: starters and back-ups, captains and role players, stars and supporters. In sports, your position often defines how others see you—and sometimes, how you see yourself. If you’re a starter, you feel important. If you’re on the bench, you may feel invisible.

I see this with my freshman son. He is on the football team but rarely gets to play. It’s his sixth year playing football, and he is used to being the guy his team can lean on when they need a play. But now he is the odd man out and wondering what this new normal looks like. What purpose does he have on the team if he is not even playing in the games?

Sports are a lot like our life in Christ in this sense. We all have a specific role to play, with specific gifts given to us by God.

Athlete, Paul shows us in 1 Corinthians 12:27. He tells us that in the body of Christ, every part is vital. Just like a team can’t function without every player, the church can’t function without every believer. Your worth isn’t determined by whether you’re in the spotlight but by the fact that you belong to Christ.

Think about a basketball team. The point guard may lead the offense, but without the screen-setter or the defender who hustles on every play, the team won’t win. Similarly, in football, the quarterback may get the glory, but the offensive line makes the plays possible. Roles differ, but value remains.

Athletes often struggle when they’re asked to play a smaller role or switch positions. But when your identity is in Christ, you can serve joyfully, knowing you matter whether you’re scoring goals or cheering from the sideline. God isn’t measuring your importance by minutes played but by faithfulness to your calling.

Remember: you are more than your role. You are a beloved child of God, placed on your team for a purpose. Whether you’re leading the charge or supporting from behind the scenes, your value is secure in Him.

Question to Consider: How do you respond when you feel overlooked or undervalued on your team, and how can you remind yourself that your worth comes from Christ, not your role?