Bigot. Transphobe. Ageist. Xenophobe. Sexist. White Supremacist.
These are just a few of the names I was called while competing in collegiate forensics tournaments. Having grown up in a Christian speech and debate league in middle and high school, I was accustomed to faith and morality being a key part of our discussions; however, when I began competing against secular universities, everything changed.
Suddenly, the debates shifted from discussing which pro-life policies were most effective to questioning whether human life had any value at all. My judges were no longer encouraging parents, but college students, young adults, and professionals who were openly hostile toward Christianity. In this environment, I began to wonder if I should say what I truly believed, or rather say what I knew would win.
For a time, I tried to stay in the middle. I softened my convictions, aiming to avoid conflict while still performing well. But in my final year, something shifted. I realized my speech and debate career was coming to an end and suddenly, rankings did not feel as important. I had to choose if I would continue to tailor my words to please the judges or speak the truth and risk losing.
The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
It’s much easier to live for the approval of others, but God calls us to anchor our lives in His truth rather than the shifting opinions around us. The word “transformed” comes from the Greek metamorphoō, describing a complete inner change, a metamorphosis. When that transformation takes place within us, it inevitably becomes visible in how we live, speak, and respond to the world.
At my final tournament of the year, I advanced to the final round of impromptu speaking. As I prepared, I felt compelled to share the story of Chloe Cole and her experience detransitioning. I knew it would not be well received, but I also knew it was an opportunity I might never have again. So, I chose to speak. After I finished, a competitor approached me, identified himself as a transgender woman, and expressed how deeply offended he was by my speech. I believe God places us intentionally in spaces where His truth is not known or is openly rejected so we can bear witness.
I didn’t win first place in that round but an award no longer felt like the point. I gained an opportunity to use the gifts God has given me to speak truth in a place of darkness. Living out our faith isn’t always comfortable. In fact, it often costs us something. But when we step out in obedience, we become ambassadors for something greater than ourselves.
And that is a heavenly trophy worth recognizing.
*Alyson Nishimura is a YWA Ambassador in California.
