If you come to our house on a Saturday, there will no doubt be college football on the television this time of year. We enjoy watching the sport and seeing these athletes play their hearts out.
Tana Lander
As I sat watching football this past Saturday, I began thinking about the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes the NCAA introduced in 2021. These changes allowed college athletes to earn money through sponsorships, endorsements, and other opportunities involving the use of their name, image and likeness.
But it wasn't the compensation or endorsement deals that caught my attention. It was the three words themselves.
Name. Image. Likeness.
As a follower of Jesus, I couldn't help but see a connection to my own faith.
NAME: Whose name am I making known?
IMAGE: Whose image do I bear?
LIKENESS: Whose likeness am I becoming?
Name
Whose name am I making known on a daily basis?
"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus..." Colossians 3:17 (NIV) My hope is that the answer points directly to Jesus. I don't long to make a name for myself, but I do hope that the way I conduct myself and respond to others reflects Him.
Carrying the name of Jesus might look like choosing not to honk my horn when someone cuts me off in traffic. Or responding with patience when I'm inconvenienced by a change in plans, rather than lashing out.
These may seem like small things, but they are opportunities to reflect the One whose name I carry.
Image
Whose image do I bear?
Genesis 1:27 tells us, "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (NIV) Imago Dei. Created in the image of God.
Every person is created with dignity and worth because we bear His image. And as a follower of Jesus, I want my life to reflect His character and the way He treated people.
Just as I have a physical resemblance to my sister, I long to resemble the qualities and attributes of Jesus.
The resemblance to my sister is inherited. But reflecting Christ's character is something that develops as I grow in my relationship with Him.
It's not simply about displaying good behavior. It's about recognizing whose image I bear and allowing that truth to influence the way I treat others.
Likeness
Who am I becoming more like?
"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) Every day when I wake up, one of the first things I do (outside of making that hot cup of coffee) is spend time reading my Bible and doing my devotions.
This time in the morning sets the tone for my day. It helps me navigate decisions with a God-centered perspective. It reminds me to be kinder with my words rather than raising my voice when I'm frustrated.
The more time I spend getting to know Jesus through Scripture and prayer, the more I desire to reflect Him in the way I live.
It's not about trying harder to become a better person. It's about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform me into the likeness of Christ.
As I consider these three words—Name, Image, Likeness—I wonder if they could serve as a daily reminder of who I belong to and how I live.
And perhaps there's one word that ties all three together.
Representation.
In college athletics, representation might look like an athlete wearing a company's logo or promoting a product through an endorsement deal. Think Nike, Adidas, or other recognizable brands. Their name and reputation carry influence, and companies may compensate them for that representation.
But representing Jesus looks entirely different.
We don't wear a logo or receive an endorsement deal for following Him. And eternal life isn't compensation for how well we represent Him. It's a gift of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
Our representation is seen in the way we conduct ourselves each day. In choosing to do what's right when no one is looking. Helping others without expecting anything in return. Stewarding our bodies in a way that brings glory to God. Being faithful with the responsibilities He's placed in our care, whether at church, at work, or at home.
It's often in these ordinary, unseen moments that our character is revealed.
We don't represent Jesus to become His. We represent Jesus because we are His.
But there's another difference between NIL and our relationship with Jesus worth considering.
What happens when an athlete makes a poor decision that damages their reputation? They could lose an endorsement deal or sponsorship.
As followers of Jesus, our relationship with Him isn't an endorsement contract based on our performance.
We are human. We make mistakes, give in to selfish desires, and don't always represent Him well.
And this is where grace, forgiveness, and repentance become so important.
Grace doesn't excuse our actions or remove our responsibility. When we fall short, we are called to acknowledge our sin, repent, and seek forgiveness.
Even in those moments, we have an opportunity to reflect Christ through humility, honesty, and a willingness to change.
Maybe representing Jesus isn't always about getting everything right. Sometimes it's about what we do when we get it wrong.
Name. Image. Likeness.
Three words that carry financial value in college athletics, but have taken on a much deeper meaning for me as a follower of Jesus.
They remind me that representing Him isn't reserved for Sunday mornings or the moments when others are watching. It's woven into the ordinary decisions I make throughout the week.
And while I look forward to another Saturday of college football, I hope to be more mindful of whose name I carry, whose image I bear, and whose likeness I'm becoming.
Even when I'm yelling at the referees over a bad call.
Tana Lander is a Christian writer who connects everyday life experiences to biblical truth, encouraging women to find their identity in Christ, navigate cultural pressures surrounding body image, and embrace stewardship of their God-given bodies. For more information, visit tanalander.com.
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