Radically Happy

ChatGPT as Max Lucado

Culture, Community, and Computation vs Christ: how can Jesus reveal our authentic identity in Him (as Max
Lucado)

The Prompt

We live in a world where so many voices try to tell us who we are. Culture, community, and even technology whisper to us, suggesting what we should value, who we should become, and how we should measure our worth. Culture may tell us we’re only valuable if we meet certain standards. Community may make us feel we belong only if we follow certain rules. And computation—the algorithms and metrics of the digital world—can make it seem like our worth is defined by the number of likes or followers we have. It’s easy to get lost, isn’t it?

But here’s the good news: Jesus has something different to say about who we are. While these forces try to shape us and can even alienate us from our true selves, Jesus comes to offer a whole new way of seeing ourselves—a way that’s grounded in love, truth, and grace. He doesn’t see us through the lens of culture or technology; He sees us as beloved children of God, and in Him, we find our true identity.

1. Culture: The Pressure to Conform vs. Freedom in Christ

Culture is all around us. It’s in the movies we watch, the ads we see, the opinions we hear. Culture can be a wonderful thing—it gives us art, creativity, and a sense of belonging. But it also has a way of pressing us to conform. Culture says, “Fit in. Look the part. Achieve more.” It’s like a mold that we’re supposed to squeeze into, and if we don’t fit, we start to wonder if we’re enough.

But here’s where Jesus steps in. He sees beyond the surface. He isn’t interested in whether we look, act, or achieve in a certain way. He looks straight into our hearts and says, “You are loved just as you are.” The Bible tells us in Galatians 3:28 that “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” That’s His message to us—He doesn’t define us by what culture says. He defines us by His love. And in His love, we find freedom—freedom to live without the pressure to conform, knowing that we are already valued by God.

2. Community: Belonging vs. True Identity in Christ

God designed us to live in community. We were created for connection, for family, for friends, for church. But let’s be honest—sometimes, even in our closest circles, we feel the pressure to fit a certain mold. Community can be wonderful, but it can also make us feel that we have to live up to others’ expectations to belong. We can end up sacrificing parts of ourselves just to fit in.

Yet, Jesus offers us a deeper belonging, a place where we can be fully ourselves. In John 15:15, He calls us His friends, saying, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” This friendship with Jesus is an invitation to be known and accepted, just as we are. In Christ, we don’t have to perform or pretend. We can come to Him with all our hopes, dreams, flaws, and fears, and He calls us His own. In Him, we find a community where we are loved not for what we do but for who we are.

3. Computation: Digital Identity vs. True Self in Christ

Then there’s computation—the algorithms, the likes, the digital footprints that now play such a big role in our lives. It’s easy to fall into the trap of letting these things define us. We start to think that our value is measured by the number of likes, followers, or online friends we have. We can feel like our worth is tied up in numbers or in how others perceive us online. The digital world encourages us to project a certain image or to chase after validation from people we may never even meet. But here’s the thing—our online presence isn’t our true presence.

Jesus speaks into this world of numbers and screens with a reminder that we are so much more than our digital profiles. In Psalm 139:1-4, we’re told, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.” God doesn’t need an algorithm to know us. He knows us deeply, personally, and lovingly. He sees beyond what’s posted online and into the depths of our hearts. With Jesus, we’re free to let go of the metrics and live in the truth that we are enough, just as we are, in His eyes. Our true worth is not defined by how others see us but by how He sees us—a beloved child of God, cherished beyond measure.

4. A New Identity in Christ: Authenticity through Relationship with Him

So, what does it mean to find our identity in Christ? It means we no longer have to measure up to the standards of culture, community, or digital validation. In Christ, we find an identity that’s rooted in love, purpose, and grace. We’re not defined by what we do, how others see us, or how many followers we have. Instead, we’re defined by God’s love for us, by the sacrifice Jesus made for us, and by the purpose He has given us.

This identity in Christ is solid and unchanging, no matter what. When we center our identity on Jesus, we find a foundation that won’t shake when trends change, when community expectations shift, or when online pressures overwhelm us. In Christ, we’re free to live authentically, with a confidence that comes from knowing we are fully loved and accepted by the One who created us.

Living out this identity doesn’t mean we ignore culture, community, or the digital world. Instead, we approach these areas with a new perspective. We can engage with culture without letting it define us, we can belong to community without losing ourselves, and we can use digital tools without letting them define our worth. With Jesus, we’re given the strength to navigate these forces without becoming lost in them.

5. Embracing Our True Identity: Loved, Accepted, and Called

In the end, Jesus invites us into a life where we are no longer scrambling to find validation in shifting cultural norms, community expectations, or digital numbers. Instead, we’re invited to rest in the truth of who we are in Him: loved, accepted, and called. This is the identity that never fades, never fluctuates, and never depends on our accomplishments or popularity.

To know we are loved by Jesus is to be wrapped in a love that is unconditional—a love that knows our deepest fears, our biggest regrets, and yet holds us close, assuring us that we are cherished. In Christ, we are more than enough because His love makes us whole. When we accept this love, we find a foundation that frees us from the pressure to constantly prove ourselves to others.

To be accepted by Jesus is to belong, fully and forever, to a family that spans across time, cultures, and even the pressures of this digital age. His acceptance isn’t based on whether we fit in or meet anyone’s expectations. In Christ, we are already chosen, already welcomed, and always valued. This acceptance empowers us to live authentically, to bring our full selves to the table without fear or hesitation.

And to be called by Jesus gives our lives purpose beyond anything culture, community, or computation could offer. Jesus calls us to love, to serve, to be a light in a world that often feels disconnected and lonely. With Jesus, we discover that we are part of a bigger story, a story where our lives have meaning, and our actions have impact.

Living as Our Authentic Selves in a Changing World

As we embrace this identity in Christ, we can step confidently into the world, fully ourselves, knowing that we don’t need to fit into a mold, perform for others, or chase after likes to feel significant. We can appreciate culture without losing ourselves in it, engage with community while staying true to who God made us to be, and use digital tools without letting them define our worth.

Living as our authentic selves in Christ doesn’t mean we’ll always feel perfectly confident or that the pressures of the world will disappear. But it does mean we have a steady anchor. We have a Savior who knows us completely, loves us unconditionally, and walks with us every step of the way. And as we grow in Him, our lives become a reflection of His love, His truth, and His grace—a witness to the world that there is a way to live fully, freely, and authentically in Him.

In Jesus, we find a way to be fully human in the midst of all the noise, a way to experience true connection even in a digital age, and a way to live a life that reflects His unchanging love in a constantly changing world.