Finding True Identity Through Surrender to God

Devotional

Day 1: Receiving Identity from God, Not Self-Discovery

The truest and most stable sense of self is not something we construct or discover on our own, but a gift to be received from the God who made us. In a culture obsessed with self-actualization and expressive individualism, the pressure to define ourselves leads to anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion. Yet, God invites us to lay down the exhausting project of self-definition and instead receive our identity as beloved children, crafted and known by Him. When we pray, "God, define me," we open ourselves to a peace and joy that the world cannot offer, rooted in the One who knows us best. [10:46]

Acts 9:1-6 (ESV)
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you striving to define yourself apart from God, and how might you invite Him today to speak His identity over you instead?

Day 2: Letting the Old Self Die

To truly follow Jesus and be defined by Him, our former sense of identity—rooted in our achievements, preferences, or self-made image—must be surrendered and allowed to die. This is not a call to erase our personalities or backgrounds, but to dethrone the idol of self that demands God’s approval for everything we desire. Only by letting go of the self we have constructed can we receive the new life and identity that Christ offers, even when it feels unsettling or costly. [13:50]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

Reflection: What is one aspect of your old identity or self-image that you sense God is asking you to surrender or let die today?

Day 3: Receiving a New Identity in Christ

When we come to Jesus, we are not left as blank slates or forced to perform a new identity; instead, we are given a new identity in Christ—redeemed, accepted, and loved by grace, not by our own works or achievements. Like Paul, who once boasted in his background and accomplishments, we are invited to count all our former gains as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Our joy and security are found not in what we have done, but in what Jesus has done for us. [20:20]

Philippians 3:4-8 (ESV)
Though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Reflection: What past achievements, labels, or sources of pride do you need to count as loss today in order to embrace your identity in Christ?

Day 4: Becoming the Truest and Best Version of Yourself

Paradoxically, it is only when we let God define us that we become the truest and best version of ourselves—the unique masterpiece He created us to be. God’s love and wisdom far surpass our own, and He has had infinite thoughts about us, crafting us with care and purpose. When we trust Him to define us, we are freed from the exhausting need to perform or prove ourselves, and we discover the joy of living as His beloved children, reflecting His glory in our uniqueness. [28:00]

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Reflection: What is one unique gift, trait, or calling God has given you that you can thank Him for and use to reflect His glory today?

Day 5: Trusting Jesus to Define and Love You

Jesus, who fully identified with us by becoming human, is the only one truly qualified to define who we are. He knows us, made us, and loves us enough to tell us the truth about ourselves—even when it means letting go of old desires or identities. In Him, we are fully known and fully loved, welcomed into a relationship where we never have to fear being rejected or unknown. The invitation is to trust Jesus for your true identity, your forgiveness, and your future, resting in His love rather than striving for self-acceptance. [29:19]

Ephesians 2:8-10 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: Where do you struggle to believe that Jesus truly knows and loves you? How can you take a step today to trust Him with your identity and future?

Sermon Summary

In a world obsessed with self-definition and self-actualization, the invitation is to lay down the exhausting project of crafting an identity and instead receive one from the God who made and loves us. The prevailing culture tells us that the truest version of ourselves is found by looking inward, discovering our unique identity, and demanding that the world affirm it. Yet, this relentless pursuit has led to unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially among the young. The pressure to define and perform an identity, untethered from any stable reference point, has left many feeling adrift and exhausted.

Scripture offers a radically different way. The story of the Apostle Paul, who once had every reason to boast in his achievements, heritage, and zeal, shows that true transformation begins when we allow our former sense of self to die. Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was not the result of deep self-exploration, but of a divine interruption that redefined his entire life. He realized that all his accomplishments and self-made identity were worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This is not a call to erase our uniqueness, but to dethrone the idol of self and allow God to define us at the deepest level.

Receiving our identity from God is not a loss, but a gain. It is in surrendering our self-made identities that we discover who we truly are—beloved, redeemed, and called by God. The process may feel dangerous and unsettling, as it requires letting go of what we thought made us valuable. Yet, it is only in Christ that we find the security, joy, and purpose our hearts long for. God, who has had infinite thoughts about each of us, knows us better than we know ourselves and desires to shape us into the truest and best version of ourselves. The invitation is to pray, “God, define me,” and trust that in losing ourselves, we will find our true selves in Him.

Key Takeaways

1. The project of self-definition, so celebrated in our culture, ultimately leads to anxiety and exhaustion because it severs us from the stable anchors of family, tradition, and especially God. When identity becomes a performance rather than a gift, we are left with chronic insecurity and the fear of not being “authentic” enough. The statistics on mental health among young people bear witness to the cost of this approach. True peace comes not from self-creation, but from receiving our identity as a gift from our Creator. [07:03]
2. Encountering Jesus means our former sense of self must die. Like Paul, who had to let go of his impressive resume and self-perception, we too must allow God to dismantle the idols we have built around our preferences, achievements, and desires. This is not a call to self-erasure, but to surrender the throne of our hearts so that God can reign. Only then can we be truly transformed at the deepest level. [13:50]
3. God does not leave us as we are, but gives us a new identity in Christ. Coming to God “just as we are” is only the beginning; He loves us too much to leave us unchanged. Our new identity is not based on our performance, background, or achievements, but on the grace and acceptance found in Jesus. This new identity is of surpassing worth, making all former sources of value seem like loss in comparison. [20:20]
4. The paradox of surrender is that in letting go of our self-made identities, we actually become the truest and best version of ourselves. God, who knit us together and has infinite thoughts about us, knows who we are meant to be. In Christ, we are not called to become generic or lose our uniqueness, but to reflect God’s glory in the way He uniquely designed us. Our real selves are waiting to be found in Him, not in the endless project of self-actualization. [24:43]
5. The gospel is not an invitation to perform a new religious identity, but to be known and loved by the One who made and redeemed us. Jesus identified with us so that we could trust Him to define us. In Him, we are secure, loved, and welcomed home—not because of what we have achieved or discovered about ourselves, but because of what He has done. The invitation is to stop striving and receive the gift of being truly known and truly loved. [28:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:36] - Introduction to Dangerous Prayers
[01:12] - The Prayer: “God, Define Me”
[01:49] - Scripture Reading: Acts 9 & Philippians 3
[03:47] - Praying for God to Own Our Identities
[05:05] - The Modern Obsession with Self-Definition
[07:03] - The Cost of Expressive Individualism
[08:52] - The Anxiety of Self-Actualization
[10:46] - Receiving Identity from God
[11:24] - Paul’s Former Identity and Privilege
[13:50] - The Death of the Old Self
[16:18] - The Idol of Self and the Call to Die
[18:16] - Two Ways Our Identity Changes in Christ
[20:20] - Gaining a New Identity in Christ
[22:13] - The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Jesus
[24:43] - Becoming the Truest Version of Ourselves
[28:39] - Jesus Identifies with Us to Define Us
[31:09] - The Invitation to Be Known and Loved in Christ
[31:46] - Call to Follow Jesus

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 9:1-6 (ESV) — > But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”

Philippians 3:4-8 (ESV) — > If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

Observation Questions

In Acts 9, what was Saul (Paul) doing before he encountered Jesus, and how did Jesus interrupt his plans?
According to Philippians 3, what were some of the things Paul used to take pride in about his identity before knowing Christ?
What does Paul say about the value of his former achievements and identity compared to knowing Christ?
The sermon mentions that our culture encourages us to “define ourselves” and present that identity to the world. What are some of the negative effects the pastor described as a result of this approach?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to confront Paul so directly and dramatically, rather than letting him “find himself” through self-exploration?
The sermon says that “your former sense of identity will have to die” when you let God define you. What does this mean in practical terms for someone who has built their life around certain achievements or self-perceptions?
Paul says he counts all his former gains as “loss” for the sake of Christ. What does this reveal about how our relationship with Jesus should affect the way we view our past accomplishments or sources of value?
The pastor described the process of letting go of self-made identity as “dangerous” and “unsettling.” Why might surrendering our self-definition feel risky, and what does the sermon say we gain in return?

Application Questions

The sermon described how our culture’s obsession with self-definition leads to anxiety, depression, and loneliness, especially among young people. Have you ever felt pressure to “find yourself” or perform a certain identity? How has that affected you emotionally or spiritually?
Paul had to let go of his impressive resume and self-perception to follow Jesus. Are there things in your life—achievements, background, preferences—that you tend to build your identity around? What would it look like to surrender those to God?
The pastor said, “God will not leave you as you are. He will begin to change you at the deepest and most foundational levels.” Is there an area of your life where you sense God wants to redefine you, but you’re resisting? What’s holding you back?
The sermon emphasized that receiving our identity from God is not a loss, but a gain. Can you think of a time when letting go of something you thought defined you actually led to greater freedom or joy in Christ?
The pastor shared a story about his son dressing up as a Jedi and how, as a father, he knew his son’s true identity beyond the costume. In what ways do you “dress up” or present a version of yourself that isn’t your truest self in Christ? What would it look like to let God “dress” you instead?
The sermon invites us to pray, “God, define me.” Is this a prayer you find easy or difficult to pray? Why? What might change in your life if you prayed this prayer sincerely?
The pastor said, “Who you truly are is waiting to be found in Him, not in the endless project of self-actualization.” What is one practical step you can take this week to seek your identity in Christ rather than in your own achievements or desires?

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