My time here at Biola has not been your typical four-year span. In fact, it has taken a bit longer for me to exit this fine institution with my bachelor’s degree in hand. But the journey has been well worth the time (and yes, well worth all the money too). Allow me to share with you a chapter of my life before I embark on the next one.
Seven years ago (yes, it has been that long) in the Fall of 2003, I came to Biola as a music major on the cusp of Junior status, having finished my general education at a junior college. I entered Biola not really interested in making many new friends; I wanted do the work and finish my degree. I’m glad my attitude didn’t survive past that first semester. I found myself meeting and making many amazing friends here, which I’m sure many of you can identify with.
Graduating with a degree in Music Guitar Performance, I have a great respect for those studying music. It involves hours of practicing–– practicing your own instrument, practicing other instruments for classes, practicing for sectionals. There are ensemble credits to get under your belt and many required concert attendances. This all keeps the music major quite busy. When they say, “I can’t, I have rehearsal,” they really do mean it!
Fast-forwarding nearly three years later, I’d finished all my classes and my junior recital. All I needed to graduate was to complete my senior recital, a task that proved a difficult one to triumph over.
For the next few years, I sort of took a break from school and mostly worked. During this time, I was trying to find the motivation and determination to complete the final recital, having already come to the conclusion that music was not the vocational path I wanted to pursue. While I’m blessed to have gone through a truly wonderful and unique program here, music is not quite where my passion is. Last semester, I began the process of finally meeting the recital head-on and graduating. It was an arduous, seemingly impossible task, but God showed himself faithful––as He has throughout my entire time here at Biola.
In nine days, I will be on Metzger lawn with Biola’s 2010 graduating class. I’m one of the hundreds who can attest to God’s provision and faithfulness to see us through our education––an education not merely in skills and information from our studies, but in the deepening of our faith and character. God has carried us through from our first day at Biola to our last day here.
To the seniors soon to depart: look back on your time here and share with others (and remind yourselves) about God’s work in your life during your years at Biola. To the rest: don’t take your time at this unique and wonderful university for granted, and look to the Lord who is our good, loving and sovereign King.
