I didn't even realize it, but I had an identity that was performance-based.

My identity was linked to how well I did in school, how many friends I had, it was linked

to my performance as a goalkeeper, it was linked to my career and how well it was going,

and all of that is a trap.

Because if you have a performance-based identity, you write a cruel rollercoaster between pride

and shame.

And you can be inflated and deflated based on your performance, and ultimately it'll

lead to insecurity.

Welcome to the Jesus Calling Podcast.

The 1990s Christian band PFR has a chorus from their hit song Let Go that says,

gotta let go of the little things before they get you down, gotta let go where they'll

drag you to the bottom and hold you down.

It's a war we all fight and compromise is the battleground.

But if you're ever going to grow, you've got to let go.

This perspective is from someone who realizes that we often have plans that we don't

miss direct us, or net us emptiness, or we put God in a box and limit our openness for

the goodness he's bringing to our lives.

Each of our guests this week had life experiences that required them to let go of their ideas

of what their lives were supposed to look like, so they could grow into the plans that

God had for them.

Jesse Bradley admits he never thought he'd ever be a pastor.

His goals were professional sports, and he achieved success in that arena.

...