Would We Be So Bold?

 

I saw this brave young man's story and had to pay it forward. Five days after he graduated from Campbell County High School in Kentucky, Micah Price finally received his diploma. It had been withheld because he went off script in his commencement speech last Friday. He encouraged his classmates to find Christ.

Price's defiance of school rules has been the subject of a feverish debate online since a video of his speech went viral, with many Christian supporters praising him for his bravery. "

Price was selected by his principal to deliver an approved speech that allowed him to thank his "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" but not proselytize. However, Price urged his classmates to find Christ, telling them "He is the light. He is the way, the truth, and the life," paraphrasing John 14:6.

"I was told beforehand I wasn't allowed to bring up Christ, that He is the way, the truth, and the life in my speech," Price said. "I did anyways, and after the speech was over, one of the principals came and tapped me on the shoulder, very politely and professionally. He told me I was going to have to go in front of the board and explain what I did because I went off script."

Micah waited days following his speech to meet with school officials. He said people offered to stand with him before the board. He urged them not to support him but the message of Jesus. He also insisted that the school officials were just simply doing their job in reprimanding him for going off script.

He eventually learned that he would only meet with the principals. Shortly after meeting on Wednesday, he was beaming with his diploma.

"It was a very quick and painless process. Went into this very short meeting with two principals. They were very professional and very kind in everything they did. An answered prayer. We got the diploma," he declared.

When asked about the social media firestorm over the delay in getting his diploma, Price said he knew his witness was against the rules but felt compelled to share more about the goodness of God in his life.

"I did go against the rules. I should have been punished which I agree with," he said. "I simply cannot go anywhere without mentioning what my Lord and Savior has done for me and just what he's brought to me and my life. I did deserve to be punished but through Christ we prevail."

Price, who will be joining the Air Force in July said delivering a graduation speech that honors God has been a goal of his since the fifth grade.

"I always wanted to give it," Price said. "I prayed about it a lot." His conviction grew stronger through the years, and last Friday. He said he was prepared to pay the price for the message he delivered.

"My Lord and Savior is your answer," Price said in his speech. "He will give you the truth, the way, and the light. I must give the honor, the praise, and the glory to Jesus Christ."

Would we be so bold? I pray that we would. How could we withhold the greatest news of finding THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE?