Finally, it was my turn for Graduation Chapel. Rajiv and I did it together with Kikuchi-sensei as our chairperson. We sang “How Great Thou Art” (Bunny’s favorite hymn), went through our sharing after short introductions by sensei, and the chapel was ended with a gracious prayer from Dr. Franklin. For those of you who can’t be here for my Graudation Chapel, this is it… I hope you enjoy! I did it in Japanese, but for you readers, I will put the English one first. Masako helped me a lot with my Japanese… if you can read it, enjoy it too!
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:7-11
What is a university student?
What is the definition of a theological student?
What does it mean to be studying in a Christian university?
I wish to share with you, today, my answers to the above questions.
I grew up in a very competitive environment. For a young person, their field of competition is in education. One is considered respectable when they have completed their basic education and moved on to receive higher education in colleges and universities. Studying in famous schools and abroad has been the aspiration of many. As for me, being able to do all these in Japan indeed is a privilege of a lifetime.
Doing well in my studies has never been an issue of compromise. I strive hard to excel in my studies not only for a better future, but also to be the best among my sisters, friends, etc. so that I may be accepted and given the attention everyone wants. Coming to TCU as a scholarship student has indeed given me many new academic challenges and a good competition field to be among students of different nations and backgrounds. I believe university is a place where not only one gains the knowledge to equip them for a better future; it is also a place to decorate one’s curriculum vitae with academic credentials and outstanding achievements in student activities. Being a scholarship student, my background tells me that there is a lot expected of me by this school too.
However, when I first arrived at TCU, my perception of what constitutes to being a university student was highly challenged. I was assigned to the name of theological student (神学生) instead of university student (大学生). I was very confused then. The students of this university were going around their university life nothing like I ever knew. From my observation, people are not very serious with their studies at all, or participating with important school matters that governs a student’s life. What fascinates me is that they spend a lot of time hanging out in fellowship, are very preoccupied with Christian activities, busying themselves over prayer meetings, and trying so hard to live with the rules made to depict a "holy" Christian life. And when it comes to church service, they often share about how tough it is to work that they were assigned to do and often complain about how tired they are from their services at church. "Are these people for real?" I started doubting the good reputation of this school.
神学生 to me, means someone who is studying about God. We study about God with the academic discipline. I believe that through such discipline, we learn and grasp about who God, his characteristics and what he has done for us, grow in faith, and through these give us a natural urge to worship him from hearts, not only in church service, but in our responsibilities as a student. Here at TCU, our studies are not just is a pursuit for education, but it is also a preparation for our future to live a Christian life right in the eyes of God, spreading the gospel in whatever fields we go into. Isn’t that the aims of the school too? By understanding the above, there should only be the willingness of hearts in response to what God has done for us, in joy; not in complaints.
The discipline and environment of this school provides a training ground to equip myself to go into the world, in any fields possible, knowing that there is a good God that we serve in all aspects of life: work, family, church, and the society. There are to focus on the ultimate concern of loving God—obeying him, and living a life pleasing in His eyes. But all of these can be and should be expressed in their life and duties of a university student, to do well in their studies, gain knowledge and put them into practical application. Being a theological student then requires even more of us, that is, to live it out with the sincerity of our hearts in response to God. I may be suggesting a standard impossible for many, but it is what God expects of us. After all, we do come from a heritage where we emphasize on faith, but doing good works are the fruits that bears witness to our faith.
TCU is a Christian university. What does that mean? I believe it means that it is the academic community of God, consisting of members who seriously study about God, His characteristics, plans, etc. and putting them into practical application in serving not only other Christians on campus, the church, but also with the society around us in whatever we do, now and preparing us to do so in the future. We are given a Christian education in a Christian environment to form a Christian perspective that we might be effective Christians for God. However, the most important thing that I wish to point out is, a Christian university, like TCU, is a place where grace is flowing abundantly. My assumption that students here are not really like students at all is because of my pride and lack of grace. However, through my life here at TCU, I have learned so much about giving, sharing, and ministering to others not only as students in our studies, but also through our talents in every aspects of life. My perception of students and student life at TCU is changing. I see grace shown through the various talents of this campus’ community and their background– that through their passion in academic studies, expressed in many different ways– have touched the lives of many. I stand before you today not because I had worked hard and deserved it by doing all I can to be a graduating student on scholarship of TCU, but it is solely because grace that is showered upon me.
I wish to take the opportunity of standing here today to thank all those who have extended such grace to me. To the professors and faculty members, thank you for nurturing me in every possible way. To my fellow graduating students, thank you for sharing with me your special backgrounds, humbling me, and extending my horizons of knowledge. To the student body, thank you for giving me a university life I will always cherish. To my fellow room mates, good friends, and loved ones, thank you for opening your hearts, accepting and loving me as family. And most of all, thank you God for leading me here, showing me love through the people you have surrounded me with by the cross of Christ, being by my side, and never cease to fill me with the awe of your grace.
May grace be with you.
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大学生とは何でしょうか？
神学生とは一体どういうものなのでしょうか？
キリスト教大学で学ぶということは、どういうことなのでしょうか？
今日は、このことについて話したいと思います。
私は、競争社会の中で育ちました。若者にとっては、学校が競争の場です。大学や大学院に進むことが、社会から評価されることなのです。多くの人が有名大学や海外留学に行きたいと望んでいます。日本でそれを実現できたことを、大変誇りにしています。
私は、勉強に対する妥協を知りません。勉強することは、より良い将来のためだけでなく、姉妹や友達より良い成績をとって注目を浴びたり、私を受け入れてもらうためのものでもありました。奨学金をもらう学生としてTCUに入学したことで良いプレッシャーを受けました。また、いろいろな国籍や環境の人たちと勉強することは良い競争の場となりました。大学は将来のために知識を積むだけの場所ではなく、学校活動や成績で自分の能力を示し、就職活動や大学院進学を有利にするための場所でもあると思うのです。また奨学金をもらうということは、学校の期待に答える責任があると思います。
しかし、TCUの印象は今までの大学に対するイメージと全く違い、衝撃を受けています。まず、大学生ではなく、神学生と言われるのです。ちょ～混乱します。
また、ここの学生はびっくりするくらい勉強しない上に、学生会活動に対しても真剣ではありません。大学教育を大切に思っていないように見えます。さらに、ビックリするのは、交わりに多くの時間を費やしたり、諸集会や祈祷会に忙しいこと、「HOLY」にみせようと一所懸命に規則を守っているように見えることです。教会奉仕については、こんなに沢山仕事を頼まれているとか、こんなに疲れるのだと
愚痴をこぼすのです。何を考えているのか、何をしたいのか理解できません。TCUの学生を見ていると、学校の良い評判を疑いたくなります。
私にとって神学部の学生とは、神について勉強している人のことです。大学生として神学を学び、それを通して神や人間の罪についてより理解することで、信仰を深め、心から神に仕えたいと願うようになるのです。神に仕えるということは、教会での奉仕だけでなく、学生としての責任を果たすことでもあります。TCUについて言えば、勉強だけでなく、将来のためにクリスチャンとしてのIDENTITYを確立することでもあるのです。卒業後、どのような職に就いても、クリスチャンとして正しく生き、福音を宣べ伝える者となることを学園は期待しているのではないでしょうか。TCUで神学を学んだ学生が、神を愛することの表現として、きちんと勉強することや教会や諸集会などの奉仕を心から行うことは自然なことではないでしょうか。真理を知っているのだから、私たちの行動全てにその真理が現れると思うのです。神の愛に対する応答としての奉仕に対して、文句など出てこないはずです。
TCUはキリスト教大学です。神の性質やご計画について真剣に勉強すること、また神学を実践しようとする人の集まりであると思います。その実践は、学園内や教会、また社会において現在行うのと同時に、将来の準備でもあるのです。私たちは、神の前に名実共にクリスチャンとなるために、クリスチャンだけの環境の中で、キリスト教観点を築き上げるためにキリスト教教育を受けているのです。最も重要なことは、溢れんばかりの恵みがあることです。自分のプライドや思いやりの無さから、TCU生が大学生らしくないと決めつけていました。しかしTCUの学生は、いろいろな経歴とタレントを持ち、それぞれの経験を通して、互いに励まし合い支え合えるところが、本当に素晴らしいと思います。そのことによって、神の恵みをお互いに体験することができるのです。TCUの学生に対する見方が変わってきました。この学園で、学生や先生を通して神様の恵みを体感することができました。
今日ここに立っているのは、私が頑張ったからではなく、神様の恵みによるのです。日本に来てTCUに入学し勉強できたことは、全て神様からのプレゼントです。この場を借りて、今まで私を思いやりを持って支えてくださった方々に感謝したいと思います。あらゆる面において私を育てて下さった教職員の皆さん、ありがとうございます。それぞれの経験を共有し、プライドの高い私を変え、視野を広めてくれた、同級生の皆、ありがとう。心を開いて家族のように愛し受け入れてくれたルームメイトたち、仲間、大切な人たち、ありがとう。そして何よりも、私をここまで導いて、人を通して愛を示してくださり、共にいて下さる神様に、多くの恵みを感謝したいと思います。
みなさんに恵みがありますように。
Yanagisawa Sensei did took some pictures, please check out her site for more details. 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/miwakoy/
