with the constant barrage of sickness and unnecessary harm that nurses encounter. Even better, our nurses know that one day this will all be made right. When God created the world, He saw that it was “good.” Humanity messed it up by bringing sin into the world, but we have the promise that one day God will make all things new. Our nurses know that this earth is not our home, and that the evil that currently exists in this world will not remain forever. One day there will be no more cancer, no more gunshot wounds, no more abuse, no more disease, and no more death. Our nurses also know that when they show compassion to the least of their fellow image-bearers, then they have served God well. One day, God will judge all of us by our actions. I have a feeling that more than a few nurses will receive crowns that they will lay at Jesus’ feet. MOTIVATED BY THE SERVICE OF OUR SAVIOR Cedarville University’s School of Nursing is unique because our motivation to serve others flows from our desire to be like our Savior. The Bible tells us in Philippians 2 that we are to have the mind of Christ. Jesus did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped but came to earth as a human being. Fully God and fully man, Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the shameful death of the cross. Jesus humbled Himself. Jesus served others. Jesus had compassion on others. Jesus showed compassion to a grieving mother in Luke 7:13. Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them, healing their sick in Matthew 14:14. Scripture tells us that Jesus frequently felt compassion for others (Matt. 9:36; Matt. 15:32; Mark 6:34; Mark 8:2; Luke 7:13). When nurses show compassion for someone who has harmed themselves, they reflect the character of Jesus. When nurses serve someone who disrespects them, they reflect the character of Jesus. When nurses do everything possible to help someone only to be rejected, they reflect the character of Jesus. While human nature would cause anyone to want to stop serving and caring when treated unfairly, our nursing faculty and students can reflect upon the nature of Jesus and continue to serve. Following Jesus’ model results in nurses with a bedside manner that reflects endless grace, mercy, and compassion to the patients that they serve. A FACULTY DEMANDING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE If all our students had was the understanding of a biblical worldview and the model of Jesus, they could love, care, and show compassion well, but they might be terrible nurses. To be an excellent nurse, you must have knowledge and you must have the skill to implement that knowledge well. Our School of Nursing teaches a biblical worldview throughout its curriculum, but not at the expense of academic excellence. Wi thout except ional facul ty members who are credentialed at the highest levels and continue to practice regularly, we couldn’t produce students who combine the knowledge with the skill to serve with excellence. Our faculty members make sure our students have learned the necessary content. They make themselves available to our students. They pray with our students. They genuinely care about our students. These amazing faculty members make it possible to produce amazing graduates. That’s why Cedarville Universitytrained nurses are amazing. Former Cedarville President Paul Dixon has said for years that the only way you could explain Cedarville was God and people. God continues to do an incredible work in these cornfields of Ohio. Part of His work is calling gifted faculty members to teach. Another part of His work is calling students to Cedarville who love God, love others, and show integrity in conduct and excellence in their effort. God calls and equips, but the people He uses make this place special. At Cedarville, it's always been about God and people. In our School of Nursing, it’s always been about serving God and serving people well. That’s why Cedarville nurses are amazing! Thomas White is President of Cedarville University. He earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The desire, motivation, and reward for compassionate service find an endless reservoir of strength in our God and a biblical worldview. Cedarville Magazine | 3
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