Being Church: Missionally Shaped

I want to send a shout out to a young girl I have come to know through her Valedictorian speech, which was posted on YouTube. Being a Valedictorian is no easy task – I should know. I was not a Valedictorian in my class. Though I had done very well with respects to my grades, I had not achieved that goal. This girl had achieved this goal and was given a span of several minutes to give a speech to her graduating class.

What happens though is something I thought I would never see (though in some respects, I should not have been surprised). As she was giving her speech, as you will see in the video, she began to share what kind of impact knowing God has had on her life. As soon as she says, “God sent His Son…” the microphone is cut off and we are unable to hear the rest of her speech. The crowd becomes upset when a teacher or staff person tries to pass on to another qualified, achieving Valedictorian.

I know that people will continually attempt to shut us up when it comes to speaking the name of Jesus wherever we go. I know that people will hate our words and even hate us because we have reasoned within ourselves that Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life for us to follow. I know that I should not be surprised that this young girl was shut off from sharing her expressed joy and hope for her graduating class, namely Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection from the dead. I know all this. But still, it bothers me. And, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, it should bother you too.

In closing, I would just like to say once again that I am thankful that this girl decided that she would stand for the truth. She stood for Jesus. No matter how she would be received by the crowd or the “highly educated,” she decided to speak some thought provoking words that will still continue to produce growth and fruit in others. The more I watch this video; my anger turns to love and happiness. I know 8,855 people + have watched this video. I know several hundred heard it and experienced it. It gives me hope that there are people who are walking with Christ because this girl – Brittany McComb – decided to live for Christ. For that, she deserves a shout out. Thanks Brittany for not stepping down and for speaking boldly about your faith in Christ. It is my hope and prayer that we could and would do the same, God help us.