I believe it started about a year ago when Matt Traylor told me he was considering a study abroad program in Jerusalem. I don't really remember my initial response, but my usual selfish self probably thought something like, "Thats really going to be a bummer that one of my best friends will be gone for an entire semester." Instead of leading us apart though, such news intrigued my curiosity enough to check out a few details.
I had never considered study abroad at all. I assumed that money, course scheduling, and status in the conservatory wouldn't allow it. In fact, the usual response when I state that I am an organ major studying in Jerusalem is, "Where are you practicing?" But I get ahead of myself...
My first semester at Wheaton was a very worrisome one. I spent more time questioning why I was a piano performance major than I spent practicing. What was I doing with my life? I remember errantly thinking that what I decided in those first semesters would control how God could use me in the future. With realization that I was definitely not interested in performing for the rest of my life, and even the doubt that I would ever like to teach, I decided to switch to organ performance. Such a change was perfect for the one who wanted to mesh the American dream of job security and a goody-two-shoes family life with every believers dream of doing something great for Jesus that everyone will admire.
Within a semester I was back to more thinking on the organ bench than practicing on the organ bench. Part of my grappling was with the thought of millions of people without a Bible in their own language. What kind of aim was sitting on the organ bench my whole life, when many don't have a Bible to read? I am often too quick to make up my mind; I figured this was another emotional high that would soon pass so I stuck it out. But that feeling didn't change, so after two more semesters I took a slight change of direction and went to Music with Elective Studies in Bible and Theology. Its a bummer, because its a mouthful when people ask what your major is. In fact, its even more of a bummer that its a mouthful and it doesn't even make sense to most people so it merely calls for more explaining. I mean, if you are going to slap an eight word title on a major, you might as well make it self explanatory.
That semester I started asking the questions. Would the credits work out? What would I miss? Who has been there and what did they think? After realizing that I would spend no more money to study abroad in Jerusalem, I really didn't know why I shouldn't. I saw it as a testing time when I would have no musical instruments in front of me. I saw it as an opportunity to learn another culture, to step out of the American dream. I saw it as an intense time of training concerning the geographical and cultural settings of Bible. God seemed to open every door in miraculous ways and I kept walking.
That brings me to this semester. I can't tell you that in 6 years I will be in a jungle translating, but I do know that this is preparing me for a life of understanding the Bible better. Whether it be in the tedious word choice of Bible translation, the accountability of shepherding a congregation some day, or the very likely responsibility of teaching my children about the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, I am thankful for the lessons I am learning here.
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