Maturing

Things are beginning to smooth over now, as I have attended my first class (though I will be switched to a higher level next Monday). Luckily, I have the same teacher who seemed extremely friendly and amiable, so things are looking great!

Although I still haven't finished the registration process due to all the administrative stuff they have to go through as I finalize my class, things I have been worrying about for the past few days have increasingly been getting better.

As I thought about the lengthy process I went through to finalize my classes, I thought about the passage where Jesus ate at a Pharisee's house and told a parable about taking the lowest place at a table. In a sense, I was able to experience both ends of the parable. Coming in with a sense of being sufficiently awesome at Chinese, I was quickly humiliated by one of the teachers during an oral exam. Talking to all the people at the registration office, I continued to stumble with words, wondering why I couldn't think of the right words to say. After being thoroughly humiliated everywhere I went with my lackluster knowledge of Chinese, I finally trusted it all in God's hands, believing everything would work out. After the first half of my first Chinese class, the teacher took me aside to tell me that I should be placed into a higher class. A few hours later, I saw the teacher who metaphorically whipped my butt in Chinese and told her everything with confidence in every word. Surprised, but pleasantly happy for me, she wished me good luck... I think.

I am finding it increasingly interesting how God is causing me to depend and trust in Him. Like a child, I'm hating all of the pain and discipline I have to go through as He works in me, wishing to run around and do my own thing. But I pray that I will soon mature enough to the point where I can keep my eyes on Christ and walk willingly with Him like an adult.