Newbies

My school is hosting finalists for its biggest scholarships this week, so chapel was full of strange faces today. As I looked at the potential students in their suits and heels, with traces of nervousness in their eyes, I felt a pang of jealousy. Not, obviously, jealous for their interviews, but because they have so much to look forward to! They have three years of community, deep conversations, engaging lectures, and moving worship services ahead of them. They will be absorbing wisdom from complex texts and brilliant professors. They'll be laughing and joking in the Commons and debating theology over drinks late into the night. They'll have transformative, existential crises in the wee hours of the morning and share semi-coherent online chats with fellow procrastinators. They'll have Halloween parties, bowling parties, girls' or guys' nights out, and Spring Banquets.

Of course, they don't know that yet. Right now they're struggling with difficult decisions and anxiety-inducing interviews. But great things are coming. And I won't be here to share that with them.

They're our replacements. They'll take our places in classrooms and chapel, in the courtyard and in the commons. Their energy and enthusiasm will replace our weary senioritis. I hope that we've prepared a place for them, and made the school even better for their experience. But mostly, I hope they enjoy it and find their time here as fulfilling as mine has been.

And, selfishly, I hope that somewhere in my conference, someone is thinking the same thing about my commissioning class as we prepare to take our place as the next generation in the conference.