Only Jesus - Casting Crowns

I went to a birthday party for a friend yesterday. She's one of those people who everyone in the room could share a story of how she has had a lasting impact on our lives... ways that we will never forget her. Someone shared that their favorite thing about her was that she lived her life unashamed of her faith, proclaiming Jesus at every turn. That it was impossible to know her and not know about her relationship with Jesus.

As part of her birthday celebration she shared a gift with each of us. A small piece of leather with the words "Only Jesus" printed on it. She shared about the impact this song has had on her - that it truly is how she wants to live her life. That she doesn't want to leave a legacy, that Jesus is the only name to remember - not her's.

The irony here is impressive.

Here is this woman who has left such a legacy in her first fifty years... and I'm sure will do more in the future. But all because she wasn't trying to make a name for herself - because she was trying to make a mark in Jesus's name. Because the name she has pointed all of us to again and again is the name of Jesus.

"Did I live the truth to the ones I love, was my life the proof there is only One, Whose name will last forever?"

Thank you, my friend... for modeling for me what it looks like to live the truth... for showing me whose name will last forever.

The things you have said that stick with me? The things I would credit you for that have changed me, who I am, to the core... those are the times that you pointed me at Jesus. Only Jesus.

I pray that my life does the same for others.



Make it count, leave a mark, build a name for yourself
Dream your dreams, chase your heart, above all else
Make a name the world remembers
But all an empty world can sell is empty dreams
I got lost in the light when it was up to me
To make a name the world remembers
But Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

All the kingdoms built, all the trophies won
Will crumble into dust when it’s said and done
'Cause all that really mattered
Did I live the truth to the ones I love?
Was my life the proof that there is only One
Whose name will last forever?

And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus

Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember, oh
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name
Jesus is the only name to remember

And I, I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus
And I, I’ve only got one life to live
I’ll let every second point to Him
Only Jesus
I don’t want to leave a legacy
I don’t care if they remember me
Only Jesus