A Life Changing Story

This Easter Sunday, JICF presented a special skit titled “A Life Changing Story,” adapted from You Are Special by Max Lucado.

More than just a performance, this skit invited the entire congregation to participate.

At the beginning, everyone received gold stars and red dots—a simple but powerful illustration of how we often assign value to one another based on performance, appearance, or acceptance. As the room filled with laughter and interaction, it quickly became clear how easy it is to both give and receive these “labels.”

From there, the story followed Punchinello, a wooden toy covered in red dots, carrying the weight of rejection and comparison.

The Story

In a world where worth is measured by approval, Punchinello believed what others said about him:

“I’m a loser… The guy who made me must’ve made a mistake.”

Despite his efforts to prove himself, nothing worked. The labels only increased.

Everything changed when he encountered Lucia, a Toylander with no stickers at all. Her freedom pointed him to a deeper truth: that true identity is not found in others—but in the One who made us.

That journey led Punchinello to Eli, the master woodworker.

The Turning Point

In one of the most powerful moments of the skit, Eli reminds Punchinello:

“What they think doesn’t matter. All that matters is what I think. And I think you are pretty special.”

And ultimately:

“Because you’re mine.”

As Punchinello begins to trust Eli’s words, something remarkable happens—the stickers start to fall off.

Finally, Punchinello realizes only Eli can make him clean. He apologizes to Eli for ever resenting his designs over him.

Like Christ, Eli replies graciously:

“Come on, follow me.”

The Message of Easter

This moment reflects the heart of Easter.

Through Jesus Christ, we are not defined by:

• our failures
• others’ opinions
• the labels we carry

Instead, we are defined by God’s love.

Just as Punchinello discovered his identity in Eli, we are invited to find ours in Christ—
the One who knows us fully, loves us completely, and calls us His own.

A Moment of Response

The skit culminated in a powerful response through the song “Resurrection Power,” as Punchinello stepped into a new identity—no longer bound by shame, but walking in freedom.

It was a reminder for all of us:

“I see the old has passed away, the new has come.”

May this truth remain with us beyond Easter:

Our worth is not determined by the “stars” or “dots” we receive from others—
but by the love of Christ, who gave Himself for us and calls us His own.