There are puddles and then there is Bible College

First impressions of my new studies.

It feels like

I thought I was jumping into a puddle. 

I jumped, and then when I had already made the splash I realised the puddle was actually an ocean. 

It’s not like I didn’t expect my socks to get wet. 

After all, I really launched myself up to come down again, pushing my shoes to the ground so the puddle would spray out and make a great big sound. 

I wanted to make a splash. 

I know you can’t jump in a puddle without a splash either. 

I knew the water would be cold and probably a little muddy, but that’s okay because I know how to handle mud. 

I knew the splash would be loud and a bit unusual. 

My friends would be shocked maybe that I really did go and jump in the puddle. 

They might even make a face and sneer at me for getting their socks wet from the spray. 

But see, when I found out the puddle was really an ocean, well, I was quite glad because I was ready for a swim. 

I wasn’t completely prepared, I still have my shoes on from when I was expecting to land on hard ground. 

I realise that this is even more unusual looking. My friends might now think I’m actually a bit foolish for swimming in the ocean with my shoes on. 

I realise that I don’t actually know what my friends are thinking. 

I also don’t particularly care if my friends are thinking funny things about me because I know that I quite like to swim. 

So perhaps I thought jumping in a puddle would only last a moment. 

But now that I am swimming in the deep ocean, I am refreshed. 

It’s a hot day. 

I needed to cool off with a swim.

Occasionally, I think I am in a swimming race. 

I know I am falling behind and I must wake up my muscles to pull me through the water to the finish line. 

But of course, there is no finish line. 

This is the ocean. 

There are sparkly fish to chase. 

There are wobbly sunbeams to watch.

There are rock holes to poke around in. 

There are waves to float over.

Occasionally, I notice that there is no edge to this ocean. 

This ocean is so deep. 

Unlike the puddle. 

This ocean is so wide. 

Occasionally, I panic and kick my feet hard and forget how to swim. 

But I am really good at swimming. 

And I really love swimming. 

And the Ocean is just so beautiful.

My friends will often remind me. 

The ocean is a reminder in itself.

This is what it feels like to study the Bible at Ridley College.