It was hearing these words from the Bible that led me to decide to go to seminary and apply to CBS:
“Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” (Luke 6:47–49)
Up to that point, my faith had been swayed by my circumstances, and I was quick to doubt God. For this reason, I longed to strengthen the foundations of my faith and transform it so that it would not be so easily shaken, and so I decided to enroll at CBS.
I am truly grateful that over the past two years I have been able to study while being supported by the faculty, staff, and fellow students. I would like to share the blessings I have received through my studies.
The first thing I have learned is that my identity as a child of God never changes. Before entering seminary, I worked as a midwife for four years. During that time, I realized that I had been basing my self-worth on my professional abilities—wondering whether I was meeting people’s expectations or falling behind my peers. I had applied this same mindset to my relationship with God, believing that my relationship with him was unstable and would waver depending on my actions. I thought that I would be accepted if I did things that pleased God and abandoned by him if I sinned. However, I came to a fresh understanding that I am a sinner and cannot become a perfect person—that is why Jesus was crucified for me—and, through him, I realized that I have an unchanging identity as a child of God, no matter the circumstances.
Furthermore, one of the reasons I entered seminary was a desire to clarify my calling. While working at the hospital, I wondered what gifts and calling God had given me, and I wanted to live my life in accordance with that calling. The answer was clearly revealed to me during a short-term mission trip to Cambodia. While visiting local churches to do ministry among children, to share my testimony with university students, and to run Japanese language classes in the villages, I realized that the work of directly sharing God’s message is so joyful and brings such heartfelt delight. I learned that humanity’s mission is to share about God, and that true joy wells up within us as we carry out this work.
After graduation, I plan to return to my home church and serve in various capacities. I am not yet sure whether I will return to the hospital and find my place in society as a medical professional or engage in ministry that directly shares the gospel. However, whatever work I do, I hope to obey God and fulfill my mission to share him with others. I am truly grateful that, through my two years at CBS, I was able to lay the foundation of my faith and discover my calling.
Noyuri Sawada graduated from Christ Bible Seminary in March with a diploma.
