Back in January of 2007, I felt that the Lord was leading me to pursue doctoral work in music. Looking back on this, I believe that this journey was one that was designed more to test my faith and trust in the Lord than it was really to develop me into a professional in my chosen vocation. I say that because each of the tests and challenges that I faced along the way were clearly intended to be character building exercises in my life, not merely tests to see if I was in fact cut out to pursue a career in the academic world.
I spent the better part of a year and half preparing for grad work, and I will admit that I gave very little thought about the importance of approaching this endeavor apart from what it would mean for my career as a professional musician. Spending in excess of 30 to 40 hours practicing per week and studying for qualifying exams for an additional 20 hours, I was determined to get into a program. The Lord blessed me with a successful audition to get into the University of Kentucky School of Music, but I viewed it as my success and selfishly did not give God the glory.
However, the Lord began to use circumstances to wear me down and work to mold me into the person that he wants me to be. When I started out in the pursuit of my doctorate in August of 2008, I had no Christian friends at the University of Kentucky trumpet studio, had no idea how I was going to pay for this degree, and had no clue how long of a project this would be. In each case the Lord provided for my needs in ways that I never would have foreseen.
It was in this situation that the Lord really began to teach me through experience the truth of His word. Sure, I had grown up in the Awana program up through my senior year in high school and knew a great deal of scripture and I had spent six years at a Christian University. However, I had never really been put into a situation where I was the only Christian on a daily basis and the road to compromise was not only very easy but also was one that was readily encouraged. Here, the choice was clear: do I choose to believe and follow God's Word or do I take my own path?
Now, as it looks like I am on the verge of completing this degree, I praise the Lord for the work that He is done in my life. My life is still a work in progress, but I believe that through this process, the Lord has been able to better equip me for the road that he has ahead. While I do thank him for the skills and knowledge I have been able to pick up in my studies along the way, I am even more grateful for the spiritual lessons that I have been able to receive along the way.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the most important thing that I have learned in this whole process is to have a thoroughly scriptural worldview in the entire process. A book that I would recommend for reading that best captures what I am saying is Creation Regained. In it, the author establishes that no matter what your occupation is, it need to be viewed as a sacred calling from God.
Soli Deo Gloria
Evan Duke
Well folks, here we go again. I put this Worship Guide where reasonable people do not look. But, at least half the church has seen the location. Send your guesses to The Road in an e-mail. I have four Reese's Cups for the first four people who respond correctly.
Back in January of 2007, I felt that the Lord was leading me to pursue doctoral work in music. Looking back on this, I believe that this journey was one that was designed more to test my faith and trust in the Lord than it was really to develop me into a professional in my chosen vocation. I say that because each of the tests and challenges that I faced along the way were clearly intended to be character building exercises in my life, not merely tests to see if I was in fact cut out to pursue a career in the academic world. 
