Identity Crisis
by: Gracie Priestley
July 28, 2026
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will find it.’”
Unfortunately, we do not have to look far to see that we live in an incredibly self-centered generation. We live in a world where people make a living drawing others to themselves. The idolization of self is no new thing.
However, I do believe that there probably has never been a time where it is more publicized (and truthfully, honored).
What is the most alarming about this generation we live in is that people have never been more unsure of who they are. It is clear that we are living in a time where people are searching for their identity like never before. And now, if you don’t like how you were created, you can actually change it down to a physical level. We now have access to technology and science that no generation has had before to change who we are to both ourselves and to the world.
If you know Christ intimately, this breaks your heart as it does mine. The problem is that we are unsatisfied with our identity when we find our identity in anything other than the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Someone will spin and spin until they come to the end of themselves as long as they search for their identity in anything other than the Bleeding Lamb of God.
I believe that even within Christian circles we have missed the mark when it comes to identity. There’s a lot of content out there that tells me “who I am” and unfortunately elevates “me”. For a long time in my Christian walk I spun and spun like the world looking for my identity.
Mercifully, God encountered me and asked me to give Him everything. There was something in my life I was holding onto that I would not give Him. I did not trust God with everything, in fact I didn’t trust Him much at all. You see, you either trust Him or you don’t. You either surrender, or you don’t. The One who paid for this Covenant in blood did not hold anything back from us, and neither should we. Yet He is patient in our weakness.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will find it.’” (Matthew 16:24 NIV)
I tasted of God, and I knew I would have to surrender if I wanted more. And I was so desperate. I understood what the Shulamite Bride meant when she said “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods down it” (Song of Solomon 8:7 ESV). I had become undone with the unquenchable love of God. I knew in that moment that I would never go back. Anything He asked for, I was sure He was worthy of.
So what does this have to do with identity and self-centeredness? Everything. It has everything to do with identity. I searched for “my identity” for so long. But when I was undone with the love of God in this tangible way, I did not care! When we see Jesus as He really is, who cares who “I” am? He satiated that longing with Himself and with His love.
Jesus is the only subject, He is the main character. Anything other than Jesus in this place will leave you empty, longing, searching, and unsatisfied. I know because I have been the subject of my life. I made choices based on what I wanted. I was the owner of my life. Jesus did not have all of me. I was still lord of my own life.
Tragically, we’re not taught to first fall in love with Jesus by staring Him in the eyes for hours on end. When you do, He will speak your identity into you. He will love on you in ways you never thought you could or would be loved. And I promise, what you hear from Him will feed you more than any podcast or song out there about who “you” are. When you fall in love with Jesus, you no longer care who you are!
When lemons are pressed you get lemon juice. When olives are pressed you get olive oil. When grapes are pressed you get grape juice. I pray that when we are pressed others would see Jesus. May He be our true identity.
Prayer
Lord, make me like a child. Help me in my weakness. You are worthy. I give to you my heart, my schedule, my decisions, my life. I repent for holding onto things you have asked me to let go of, and of not acting on things you have asked me to act on. I confess that I need your Spirit to help me surrender to You. Forgive me for walking in what I think is best for my life. Take all of me. Fill me with your love. Lead me into the way everlasting. Lead me to your heart. Amen.
Worship: Jesus Have it All (Jeremy Riddle)
Further Study
Matthew 16:24-27, Philippians 2:1-11, Genesis 22
Related Posts
Unfortunately, we do not have to look far to see that we live in an incredibly self-centered generation. We live in a world where people make a living drawing others to themselves. The idolization of self is no new thing.