As graduation season drew near, I found myself strolling along a tree-lined path on campus, lost in thought. Before I knew it, five years had slipped quietly by.

Photo by Jane on Unsplash

I entered the seminary as a transfer student in 2021 and began my postgraduate studies in 2023. It all seemed to pass so quickly that graduation arrived almost before I realized it. With departure drawing near, I could not help but feel a sense of sadness.

I often heard former graduates say, “Even the flowers, grass, and trees that once seemed so ordinary take on special meaning when graduation approaches. Every blossom and every leaf seems to carry the feeling of farewell.”

At the time, I thought they were exaggerating. It was only as my own graduation drew near that I truly understood what they meant.

As these thoughts lingered in my mind, a small white puff caught my eye. I walked over and took a closer look.

“Yes”, I thought, “it has been good to be here.” This was the place where our spiritual lives had been nurtured and our character shaped. Like a mature dandelion drawing nourishment through its roots and stem, we too had grown through the life and teaching of the seminary, becoming who we are today.

As I stood there lost in thought, a sudden gust of wind swept through the campus. The mature dandelion could no longer hold itself together. Its seeds broke free and drifted into the distance.

The unexpected scene stirred me from my thoughts. It seemed that the dandelion had a mission of its own—it was meant to travel far and scatter seeds of new life.

Wasn’t the same true of us? We came to the seminary in response to God’s calling. Like the dandelion, we have grown and matured here. But how could we simply wish to remain on this holy mountain?

From the moment we began this journey, there was always a day when we would be sent back down the mountain. Since we came with a calling, we must also leave with that calling, carrying the gospel wherever God leads us.

At that moment, I finally understood what it means to “burn together as one flame and shine apart like countless stars.”

Here at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, we had grown like the seeds of a mature dandelion, holding together as one white globe, or like a single flame burning brightly.

Now, as graduation arrives, we will be scattered like dandelion seeds carried by the wind, sent out by the Holy Spirit to serve in different places.

As I watched the seeds drifting farther and farther away, another thought came to me. No matter how far they travel, they must eventually fall into the soil in order to live and grow. The soil is where they find nourishment and put down roots. Isn’t the same true for those of us who are about to graduate?

When we return to churches across the country with everything we have learned at the seminary, we too must take root in the soil of the local church, just as the dandelion seed does.

Only by putting down roots in the life of the church and serving among God’s people can the seeds planted during our years at the seminary continue to grow, bear fruit, and bless others.

As I gazed at the dandelion seeds disappearing into the distance, it was as though I heard the angels asking, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?” (Acts 1:11)

Those words seemed to remind me that, now that God has entrusted us with mission, we should move forward with courage and fly wherever God sends us.

For the Lord has promised, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

Original source: Tian Feng, No. 560 (August 2026)
Author: Zhang Mingxing
Translator: Bei Yu