Thoughts from a seminarian...

So it's been almost a week at Princeton, and I honestly can say that I love it. It was a little awkward at first playing random "get-to-know-me" games and talking about my interests and all that crap...but now that school is finally up and running, I feel like I belong here. Before, I was a little hesitant, obviously coming from a business background, jumping into this theological arena, but there are actually a hodge podge of people here (pun intended because I live in Hodge Hall). I've met people fresh out of college, out of a first career, second career, and so on. It's pretty awesome. One of the things that the new president said at orientation is that "You belong here." And that sentiment couldn't be more true. Even though we all come from different locations and backgrounds, we all are here now; We all contribute to this Princeton Seminary story. God has his hand in all of our stories, and he brought us here to this place just like the ancient Israelites coming back to the "promised land." I feel completely comfortable here. I felt like a fish out of water at first, but it's doable. I just have to keep reminding myself that. When the papers start piling up and assignments are due, this is manageable. So here's where I get to make a sermon point out of this (see what I did there?), even when it feels like nothing is making sense and you're a fish out of water, God is faithful. He knows what he's doing. I'm taking a class on Job which is really awesome because it's just an amazing reminder of the faithfulness of God. Yes, it teaches patience, but it also teaches that it is our job to hold onto God in the midst of trials. So, even if I'm not in the middle of some huge tribulation, and my life is not going down the toilet, I'm going to hold onto God. This is all just preparation for whatever is in store for me. I'm just going to keep on reminding myself that God is awesome and that he wants me here. If he wanted me off this earth, I would have been gone by now, but I'm still here. I'm still alive and kickin', so God, keep on helping me out...