Progression!

"The regression is hardly dramatic. It's not sudden. We start out with life, life, and more life. God is primary and present in all we do. But then while we're happily and innocently going about our work, our feet get tangled up in those cords of Sheol, those ropes of death. It is so casual at first that we hardly notice. But then one cord gets attached--who knows how?--to an anke by a double half-hitch. Then there's another and another. Before we know it, we are regressing. We are hobbled. We become less. We lose the immediacy, spontaneity, and exuberance of resurrection life."--Eugene Peterson

Yeah.

That happens an awful lot.

But, in one case, it most certainly hasn't.

See, my friend Nathan is getting ordained today.

Nathan came on board my staff almost 5 years ago. He was an intern. He held other jobs--notice that's plural--while he started seminary.

Then he became staff. Then an assistant. Now he's full-time...directing our middle school ministry.

But his spiritual growth has been consistent. He's been faithful to the tasks at hand. He's gotten married...which helps. And he's had a child...which helps. And he's worked in his ministry without losing his integrity and all the while staying true to himself. These are no easy feats.

But don't take my word for it. I mean, today...

...our board of elders will lay hands on him and endorse him for ministry.

They've tested him academically.

They've tested him Scripturally.

They've tested his lifestyle.

And Nathan has been found to live up to the Scriptural mandates for a life well-lived before Christ.

And, today...

...that is worthy of celebration.

*lifts a champagne flute after banging on it with a fork to get everyone's attention*

To Nathan, and his progression. May you never lose the immediacy, spontaneity, and exuberance of resurrection life.

*those in attendance say, "Hear! Hear!" and drink to the toast*