My wife and I were given a great opportunity years ago to attend the Presidential Inauguration.

The speech, the parade, and an Inaugural Ball.

We were excited and had to find appropriate clothing for the big day.

I went to a local tuxedo rental shop. As I was being fitted, the lady helping me made small talk and asked where I would be wearing the tuxedo. I told her I was attending an Inaugural Ball.

Suddenly everything changed in the tuxedo rental shop. My last name happened to be the last name of the incoming Governor in my state. So the shop employees all assumed I was a family member of the new Governor.

I didn’t realize they assumed this, I later figured it out after I left the shop.

To say I got great service would be a huge understatement. The manager, the assistant manager and every employee in the shop did absolutely everything they could to help me.

I was blown away by all the attention.

In society, when you are associated with a powerful person, it changes how people view you. It changes the way people interact with you. It changes almost everything.

I am not related to the now former Governor of my state.

But I am associated with Jesus, I do my best to follow His teachings, I trust in His grace, and I am forever thankful for the peace I have in Him.

I may not get special treatment in society for being associated with Jesus. But I get assurance of God’s goodness all day long, every day of my life. And I am inspired to treat the world differently because I follow Him.

My name carries very little weight with it.

But the name of Jesus is more than world famous, more than well respected, it is the very power of the created universe in five simple letters.

Find your identity in Jesus, there is no need for a tuxedo or a beautiful dress to impress Him.

He accepts you exactly as you are.

-Tom Wise