“Just Jesus”

This past Christmas at the school where I work, we had a door-decorating contest. Since my homeroom was reading C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I decided to do a Narnia theme. My feeble attempt at a door decorated with paper had a snowy hill, a light blue sky, and the iconic lamppost, but the most important part was the students’ work. I gave my students a paper cutout of a snowflake and instructed them to write on the snowflake one thing that made them unique. I explained that each snowflake is different, with no two alike, and that each of them has something that makes them special.

I got some interesting responses on the snowflakes. Some students misunderstood and put something they were thankful for, which was still very sweet. Of course, one child put “67” on his. One made me laugh as the girl simply wrote, “just me” to mark her uniqueness. Of all the snowflakes, however, the one that brought my heart the most joy was the student who wrote two words: “Just Jesus.” 

Oh, that we would have the faith of a child. 

Of all the things my student could have noted that set her apart, she chose her faith. Without even realizing it, in this project, she declared that her identity is not in what she can do, who her family is, or what she enjoys. Instead, what makes her different is just Jesus. 

The Apostle Paul had a similar attitude, which is seen in these words he wrote: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). Paul had a list of accomplishments and accolades, but he chose not to boast in any of them. Instead, Paul knew he could find his identity, his uniqueness, only in Jesus. 

In a world where people are constantly trying to stand out, the only way to truly be unique is to live your life for Jesus. By living in a way that is pleasing to the Lord, we will find our identity rooted in something that cannot be lost or taken away. Others will take notice, and we can share the good news of the gospel with them. If we are going to be known for something, if something is going to make us unique, take a note from my student and let it be “just Jesus.”