9 years on...!
It was, I admit a little tight last year, this year the trousers looked like I had leggings on - seems like there are areas of my anatomy that have 'relaxed!'.
We've been at William Booth College nearly a year and we have seen our first session of cadets through to commissioning and beyond. I was relieved that none of them took me up on my offer of not bothering if they thought it was wrong!!Several significant moments this week have come and gone. A major one being that I have haboured a secret desire to keep wearing my own commissioning uniform to each covenant day and commissioning. It was, I admit a little tight last year, this year the trousers looked like I had leggings on - seems like there are areas of my anatomy that have 'relaxed!'. So my secret desire seems to have been dashed - I don't seem to be the same person that was commissioned 9 years ago.
As I listened to Ian Barr speaking at Covenant Day I realised I idenified with him. He spoke about how parts of the covenant grown in significance after he had signed his Officers Covenant. I certainly am not the same person that was commissioned. My theology and understanding of God has grown and the biggest lesson I am learning is that I don't need to squeeze that understanding and theology into something that makes me feel uncomfortable for appearences sake!
Comments
Like you I think my initial enthusiasm is different, although rather than subdued I think it has been enhanced through a developing theology and a wider understanding of the task of the church.
The reality of mission and ministry in action had a lot to do with that.
You are right it is a good place to be.