Each day we have opinions, make choices, respond to our environments and make decisions. Whether you are brushing your teeth, filling a cup of water, or scrolling on social media, we have hundreds of daily actions that are hardwired into our brains. These are called habits!

Just think about the last time you brushed your teeth, did you have to stop and think about brushing your teeth or did your mind wander to some other thought or idea? Chances are, it was the latter.

Experts say that over 40% of our daily choices are pre-programmed into our brains through our habits. You don’t think about doing them, you are triggered and you take action.

Crazy, right — 40%!!!!

It is no wonder leadership expert F. Matthias Alexander stated that, “People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.”

As an athlete, you have experienced this phenomenon in your sport. Whether it is a crossover in basketball, catching a pass, a step-over in soccer, or a turn in the pool. You have created intentional habits around these actions to build strong athletic habits so that you can be effective and efficient in your sport and competition.

No athlete wants to stand on the top of the key and have to think, “what is the proper technique and body position for a crossover and drive to the basket in this situation?” Ridiculous! You take action and do it, and throw in an “and 1” for added effect!

Athlete, your faith in Christ is lived out much the same way. We are called to action. We don’t just pray and then sit on our hands for someone else to take action for us. We trust Jesus as Lord and respond, take action, make decisions!

Our faith in Christ is reflected through our character and actions. And knowing that 40% of your daily actions are based on habits hardwired into your brains, we need to take action so that our habits reflect our faith in Christ.

Athlete, when you trust Jesus as Lord, His Word states that you now have the mind of Christ and you are called to be transformed by the renewal of your mind (1 Corinthians 2:16, Romans 12:2).

Just like you have spent hours brushing your teeth and practicing your crossover; take time to build spiritual habits that reflect your faith in Christ.

Start small, don’t overcomplicate things. Remember how you started in your sport, the same is true as you follow Christ. Grow and build your daily habits to mirror Jesus in action and word.

What is one daily habit you can start today to reflect Christ in your life?

This week’s devotionals walk you through the SHIFT framework, assisting athletes through successful transition in sport and life. You can hear stories and learn more about SHIFT on The SHIFT Podcast on iTunes and Spotify as well as online at theshiftcourse.com.