“We are in.”
Three simple, yet powerful words Nat Pugh said across the table at a dinner in Rhode Island over 30 years ago. After nine years with the company he worked for, Nat was up for a promotion. He, along with his wife Dana, was visiting the home office of the company in Rhode Island when the offer came from the senior vice president. Without hesitation, Nat uttered those three simple, yet powerful words—we are in.
Some may see that as irreverent, but you can’t deny the presence of God in that room. It is tangible, and I believe that all of heaven is dancing and cheering right along with us!
I remember as a young twenty-something in my first seminary class, my professor would repeat the phrase, "embrace the tension."
There’s something about sitting around a table with others, studying God’s word, sharing meals, doing life, and traveling hard journeys. In that circle, we shared our joys and sorrows. When we leaned in with our shoulders touching, the burden was lighter to share.
Summer Camp, it feels like sunshine, smell likes sunscreen, sounds like a splash into the pool, and tastes like watermelon and french fries.
Washing someone’s feet is so much more — it’s love, humility, respect, and vulnerability. It displays that we are all equal and deserve to love and serve one another just as Jesus did.