Recently, a high school graduate from South Carolina, Lydia Owens, shared her testimony in her graduation speech. She encouraged her classmates that no matter their accomplishments or failures, their value comes from being made in the image of God.  

Lydia described losing her mom, who had been her greatest inspiration, just two years earlier. “When everything else in my life felt uncertain, the only person that I could depend on to stay the same was Jesus,” Lydia said.

Lydia told her classmates they need not worry about success “because God promises that His grace is sufficient for us, and that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses.” The crowd’s reaction demonstrated that they had been deeply touched by Lydia’s faith and courage. Her speech has now gone viral.

Lydia’s faith makes it clear that students should never be forced to leave their faith out of the classroom.