Finding True Identity and Hope in Christ
Summary
Growing up in Venezuela, baseball was woven into the fabric of my life from the very beginning. My father, a professional player himself, introduced me to the game at the age of two, and it quickly became my passion and my dream. As I progressed through college, my skills opened doors and brought opportunities, culminating in a scholarship to New Orleans and what I considered my best season. My sights were set on a professional career, and though a few offers came, I held out for something greater. But when the moment finally arrived, the door I had waited for didn’t open. Instead, disappointment, anxiety, and even depression crept in, and I began to lose my sense of self.
During this difficult season, my grandfather—my best friend and constant supporter—passed away. His loss was a blow that left me reeling, and I found myself in denial, unable to process the pain. Even when the long-awaited call to play professionally finally came, I was surprised to find that the achievement felt hollow. The emptiness persisted, and I realized I had been pushing God to the margins of my life. Despite reaching the pinnacle of what I thought I wanted, I felt alone and adrift.
It was at this low point that I reached out to an old friend, who invited me to Potential Church. I knew deep down where my priorities needed to be, and I decided to fully commit myself to God. As I did, a sense of peace began to settle over me, even in the midst of chaos and burden. I discovered that hope and peace are not found in achievements or circumstances, but in a relationship with Jesus Christ. No matter what challenges or failures may come, I now know I have someone to rely on. Choosing to be baptized on Easter Sunday became a powerful symbol of this new beginning—a declaration that my identity is no longer tied to my successes or failures, but to the hope I have in Christ.
Key Takeaways
- True fulfillment cannot be found in achievements or the realization of our dreams. Even when lifelong goals are reached, they can leave us feeling empty if our hearts are not anchored in something greater. Only a relationship with God can fill the deepest longings of our souls. [01:55]
- Loss and grief can shake us to our core, especially when we lose those who have been our greatest supporters. In these moments, denial and pain are natural, but they also invite us to confront our need for comfort and hope beyond what this world can offer. God meets us in our brokenness and offers healing that goes deeper than our wounds. [01:08]
- When we push God to the sidelines, even our greatest successes can feel hollow. It is easy to let ambition and disappointment crowd out our relationship with Him, but God patiently waits for us to return. Re-centering our lives on Christ brings a peace that circumstances cannot take away. [02:10]
- Community plays a vital role in our spiritual journey. Sometimes, it takes the invitation of a friend or the support of a church family to help us realign our priorities and rediscover hope. God often uses others to draw us back to Himself and remind us that we are not alone. [02:30]
- Our identity is not defined by our failures or our successes, but by the hope we have in Jesus. Baptism is a powerful declaration of this truth—a public step that says we no longer identify with our past, but with the new life Christ offers. No matter what trials come, we can face them with confidence, knowing our hope is secure. [03:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Childhood in Venezuela and Love for Baseball
[00:38] - Family Legacy and Early Dreams
[01:08] - Facing Loss: The Passing of My Grandfather
[01:35] - Disappointment and Struggles with Identity
[01:55] - Achieving the Dream but Feeling Empty
[02:10] - Realizing God Was on the Sidelines
[02:30] - The Invitation to Potential Church
[02:50] - Finding Peace and Hope in Christ
[03:10] - Baptism and New Identity
[03:25] - Looking Ahead: Trials and Hope
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: “Finding True Hope and Identity”
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### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 3:7-9
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."
2. Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
3. Romans 8:38-39
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
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### Observation Questions
1. What did Miguel say about how he felt after finally getting the opportunity to play professional baseball? ([01:35])
2. How did Miguel describe his relationship with his grandfather and the impact of his loss? ([01:08])
3. What changed for Miguel after he accepted his friend’s invitation to Potential Church? ([02:30])
4. According to Philippians 3:7-9, what does Paul say about his past achievements compared to knowing Christ?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think achieving a lifelong dream, like Miguel’s baseball career, can still leave someone feeling empty? ([01:55])
2. In what ways can grief and loss, like Miguel’s experience with his grandfather, reveal our deeper need for hope and comfort? ([01:08])
3. What does it mean to “push God to the sidelines” in our lives, and how might that affect our sense of fulfillment? ([02:10])
4. How does being part of a church community or having supportive friends help us realign our priorities and find hope? ([02:30])
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### Application Questions
1. Have you ever reached a goal or dream and still felt unsatisfied or empty? What did you learn from that experience? ([01:55])
2. Is there an area of your life right now where you feel like you’ve been “pushing God to the sidelines”? What would it look like to invite Him back to the center? ([02:10])
3. When you’ve faced loss or disappointment, where have you turned for comfort? How can you turn to God in those moments instead? ([01:08])
4. Who in your life has been a “grandfather” figure—someone who supports and encourages you? How can you be that person for someone else?
5. Miguel’s friend invited him to church at a low point. Is there someone you know who might need an invitation or encouragement right now? What’s one step you can take this week? ([02:30])
6. Baptism was a turning point for Miguel, symbolizing a new identity in Christ. If you’ve been baptized, what does that mean to you today? If not, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? ([03:10])
7. What is one practical way you can remind yourself this week that your identity is in Christ, not in your successes or failures? ([03:10])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help each person find their hope and identity in Christ, no matter what circumstances they face.
Devotional
Day 1: Finding Hope in Disappointment
When dreams and opportunities seem to slip away, it can feel like the world is closing in and hope is lost. Yet, even in the midst of disappointment, there is a deeper hope that does not depend on our circumstances or achievements. This hope is found in knowing that God is present, even when we feel empty or alone, and that He has a purpose beyond what we can see. When we turn to Him, we discover that our identity and future are secure, no matter what setbacks we face. [01:08]
Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Reflection: What is one disappointment you are facing right now, and how can you invite God to meet you in that place with His hope?
Day 2: The Power of Community
In times of struggle and loss, it is easy to withdraw and feel isolated. But reaching out to others, especially those who share your faith, can be a turning point. God often uses community to remind us of His love and to help us realign our priorities. When we open ourselves to support and encouragement from others, we find strength to keep going and rediscover the joy of belonging. [02:50]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: Who is someone you can reach out to for encouragement or to encourage today, especially if you are feeling alone?
Day 3: Peace in the Midst of Chaos
Life can be filled with chaos, burdens, and unexpected losses, but there is a peace that surpasses understanding available to those who trust in Christ. This peace does not mean the absence of trouble, but the presence of God’s assurance and calm within us, even when everything around us feels uncertain. As we draw near to God, He replaces our anxiety with His peace and reminds us that we are never alone. [02:50]
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one area of chaos or anxiety in your life where you need to ask God for His peace today?
Day 4: A New Identity in Christ
Our failures, losses, and even our greatest achievements do not define who we are. In Christ, we are given a new identity—one that is rooted in His love and grace, not in our performance or circumstances. When we choose to follow Jesus, we no longer have to identify with our past mistakes or disappointments. Instead, we can walk in the freedom and hope that comes from being a child of God. [02:50]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: What is one label or failure from your past that you need to let go of in order to embrace your identity in Christ?
Day 5: Embracing the Journey Ahead
Even after experiencing God’s peace and hope, life will still bring new challenges and trials. But with Jesus, we can face the future with confidence, knowing that He is with us and that our story is not over. Baptism and other steps of faith are outward signs of an inward transformation, marking a new chapter where we trust God with our dreams, plans, and every unknown. There is always more ahead with Him—more hope, more growth, and more blessings. [02:50]
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Reflection: What is one step of faith you can take this week to trust God with your future, even if you don’t know what’s next?
Quotes
My name is Miguel Aceche, and from a child, I've loved baseball. I started playing when I was two years old over in Venezuela. That's when I was born. My dad helped me pretty much start the game. He played professional baseball with the Montreal Expos, now known as the Washington Nationals. The Montreal Expos are just one out away from on their first trip to the playoffs. Since then, I've kind of loved it. My second year in college, got a lot of opportunities, performed really well, got the scholarship to New Orleans May of 2024. That was by far my best year that I've ever played baseball in July, 2021. [00:00:00] (34 seconds)
and I have really big hopes to play professional baseball. I got a couple opportunities, said no just because it wasn't the highest level, said no to the other professional opportunities, and then the time came in July. Didn't get the opportunity, unfortunately. That's kind of where downhill kind of started for me. Every other opportunity kind of came up kind of seemed like it shut down. That was really, really hard for me. A lot of stress, anxiety, depression even. [00:00:34] (31 seconds)
My grandfather, he was my best friend. He would travel with me everywhere as a college kid, and he was just always there for me, just always upbeat and positive, full of joy, and loved everybody. I kind of knew his time was coming, but it still punched me in the face. It's kind of like me being in denial a little bit and just not wanting to accept it. And he, I mean, he passed away. And then that was, it really hit me. I was like, that's when it really got really real. And in October, [00:01:08] (31 seconds)
I got the opportunity, I got the call that I was going to go play professionally for this team in Troy, New York, Tri -City Valley Cats, and really the opportunity that I've been kind of wanting my whole life, I got it and I felt empty still. I was still mad, I was still upset, I know God's there, but I kind of been putting him to the side already, so it really feels like it's just empty. Just nothing could possibly go right for me. I feel like there's nobody. That's when I, [00:01:40] (33 seconds)
I reached out to my high school friend and he was like, yeah, like come along, I'm going to Potential Church. This is where I go and you're more than welcome. And I was like, definitely like, this is something I want to do. I know where my priorities need to be. know what the Lord is and who He is. So I was like, 100%, I'm all in for it. As time went on, I started feeling this peace. And with all the chaos and all the burden I was carrying, I still knew there was hope and there was peace. [00:02:13] (35 seconds)
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