As a child, I was blessed to have been brought up in a Christian home. My parents enrolled me in a Christian school from preschool until 8th grade and every Sunday we attended church together. Growing up, I was surrounded by other believers and was taught the Gospel message. I had always been told that God is good and that if I believed that Jesus died for me then I would go to heaven. I accepted Christ at an early age, but I had a very shallow understanding of my sin and my need for Christ. Yet, by God’s grace, through years of attending Sunday School, I learned about the depth of my sins and the holiness of God. I began to see how much my sin offended Him and just how much I needed His forgiveness.
But even after 10 years at a Christian school and growing up in the church, I didn’t really know what the Christian life looked like. I didn’t understand what it meant to live for Christ. Through junior high, I sought to find my worth and purpose in worldly things. I pursued excellence in academics, musical achievements, and popularity in friendships in search of lasting happiness but ultimately, I didn’t find it. I was confronted with the fruitlessness of my worldly desires and went running towards Christ. From that point on, I began to genuinely desire God. Yet, I still struggled with my sin.
As I entered high school, sin took a larger hold of my life. I knew truth but did not live it out: conforming to worldly standards all the while still claiming to be a Christian. My life failed to reflect a life of obedience that Christ has called us to. Towards the end of high school, I was no longer able to ignore the consequences of my continued disobedience and broke down in tears. But God showed me His grace and love, repairing my relationships with family and friends and teaching me forgiveness. He revealed to me the stubbornness of my heart to surrender my life to Him and softened it so that I would come to know Him more.
Starting college at UCLA, God brought me to Grace on Campus. There, I was surrounded by believers who daily lived out their faith and I wanted to be more like them. As I was exposed to consistent solid teaching and the care of faithful women who watched over me, I gained a deeper understand of who God is and how my life should reflect the grace that has been given to me. Christ’s death on the cross is full evidence of His great love and when I think on how He has chosen to save me even though I did not and do not deserve it, I rejoice wholeheartedly and long to pursue the things that are pleasing to Him.
I’m thankful to have the chance to return to Japan this summer and serve alongside Hamadera Bible Church in proclaiming our Savior’s name. I’m especially excited to see the students again, to fellowship with the believers there, and to see how God will work in all our hearts this summer.
But even after 10 years at a Christian school and growing up in the church, I didn’t really know what the Christian life looked like. I didn’t understand what it meant to live for Christ. Through junior high, I sought to find my worth and purpose in worldly things. I pursued excellence in academics, musical achievements, and popularity in friendships in search of lasting happiness but ultimately, I didn’t find it. I was confronted with the fruitlessness of my worldly desires and went running towards Christ. From that point on, I began to genuinely desire God. Yet, I still struggled with my sin.
As I entered high school, sin took a larger hold of my life. I knew truth but did not live it out: conforming to worldly standards all the while still claiming to be a Christian. My life failed to reflect a life of obedience that Christ has called us to. Towards the end of high school, I was no longer able to ignore the consequences of my continued disobedience and broke down in tears. But God showed me His grace and love, repairing my relationships with family and friends and teaching me forgiveness. He revealed to me the stubbornness of my heart to surrender my life to Him and softened it so that I would come to know Him more.
Starting college at UCLA, God brought me to Grace on Campus. There, I was surrounded by believers who daily lived out their faith and I wanted to be more like them. As I was exposed to consistent solid teaching and the care of faithful women who watched over me, I gained a deeper understand of who God is and how my life should reflect the grace that has been given to me. Christ’s death on the cross is full evidence of His great love and when I think on how He has chosen to save me even though I did not and do not deserve it, I rejoice wholeheartedly and long to pursue the things that are pleasing to Him.
I’m thankful to have the chance to return to Japan this summer and serve alongside Hamadera Bible Church in proclaiming our Savior’s name. I’m especially excited to see the students again, to fellowship with the believers there, and to see how God will work in all our hearts this summer.