By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Last Saturday at Military Street Baptist Church on the Hill, 11 students of the Greater Houlton Christian Academy were charged to be men and women of integrity during their commencement exercises.
Houlton Wesleyan Church Associate Pastor David Rowe, who was the keynote speaker, spoke direct and to all who attended.
“It seems that there is a desperate need in today’s world for people of integrity,” he said. “Everyone, ask yourself this question right now — ‘Integrity, do people see it in me?’ — Character matters because being is more important than doing and who we are is more crucial than what we do.”
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
SELF PIC — Olivia Lord, left, and Lauren Robertson share a candid moment prior to the start of GHCA’s graduation service Saturday at the Military Street Baptist Church.
Rowe noted people are watching, observing, not with a glance, but a concentrated effort on what difference our faith makes in our lives.
“They watch to see if our behavior matches what we believe, if our walk matches our talk and if our character matches our confession,” he said.
The hallmark of a life of integrity has three parts: meaning, model and manifestation, he said.
“Integrity is a high standard of living based on a personal code of morality that doesn’t succumb to the whim of the moment or the dictates of the majority,” Rowe explained. “People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Their lives are open books. Who I am today will be the same tomorrow and every other day of the week.”
Rowe used Jesus Christ as the supreme model of integrity.
“His life evidenced His purity and excellent character,” he said. “There was no basis for guilt, no evidence of fault found in Jesus.”
If the world is watching us, Rowe explained, then we should be watching Christ, he said.
Thirdly, how is integrity practiced? The Apostle Peter identified several arenas where integrity is tested to a watching world who observe our reaction.
“In tempting situations, stay away,” said Rowe. “In authoritative situations, show respect. In the work environment, stand for what is right and in suffering, seek God.”
Rowe advised the graduates to avoid tempting situations, while being respectful to those in authority over us.
“Integrity says I may not like it, but I will obey it,” he explained. “We are to submit, or to yield. Submission is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of self control.
“Our integrity goes to work with us,” he added. “It manifests itself in the way we treat our boss, our clients and fellow employees. It also manifests itself in the way we respond to the company’s procedures and policies, to difficult and sometimes unjust assignments and the work place itself. It further manifests in our attitude, convictions and honesty we display at our place of work.”
In conclusion, Rowe noted the greatest test of integrity is how we respond to suffering.
“Nothing reveals one’s character quicker than problems and pain,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons why God allows it. When we go through suffering, it really reveals what we’re like. Don’t ask, ‘Why this is happening to me?’ Instead, ask, ‘What are you trying to teach me?’ Be conscious of God.”
Salutatorian Sara Hemingway thanked family, classmates, administrators and teachers for taking time to nurture her.
“As we are moving on to something new in our lives after graduation, let us not forget the good things we were taught,” she said. “We are traveling down different paths, but we should all stay heading in the same direction toward following God and His plan for our lives. The thing I learned most from going to GHCA these past years is as we our taking this next step in our lives to remember to keep following God.”
“When I found out I was going to speak, I really wasn’t sure what I should say, or even where to start. It’s difficult to summarize the graduation experience, or how I feel about it, so I thought I would take a more unconventional approach, and share with you four words that apply to graduation,” said First Honor Essayist Ashley Grenier.
The first word was accomplishment – “You’ve made it, and that’s what’s most important. This day is an accomplishment of an important goal … you’re leaving high school,” she said.
The second word was thanksgiving.
“The investment that has been made in my own life, and in the lives of all the graduates, by teachers, family, friends, and our communities is amazing. It has been a privilege to attend GHCA and to have had teachers and faculty that truly care about you, and are excellent at what they do.”
The third word is beginning — “Graduating means a whole new chapter in your life, with new experiences and opportunities. There may be parts of your life that are ending, but there are so many things that are just beginning,” she said.
The final word was celebration — Graduation is a time to rejoice and be happy.
Valedictorian Allison Little had tears in her eyes when she spoke to her classmates. She recalled all the fun times and something special about each classmate.
“Most of us have been together for all of our school years, since kindergarten and for some, nursery school, and we all share many memories together,” she said. “All of these memories are what will stick with us as the years go on. As we remember the good times of the past, it is important that we also embrace each and every moment to come.
“You are special, you are needed, and your life is filled with purpose. That’s the way God sees you and the reason He’s excited to show you, one day at a time, the countless blessings His plan holds. He knows your dreams because He created your heart to hold them. Pursue them, and with His love and guidance, achieve them.”
