Retirement, Promotion, Adjustment, or Transition?

Life is a series of adjustments. I just had another one, but I’m not sure what to call it. I made a big deal about “retirement” not being biblical for those called to vocational ministry, reminding folks that I was only “retiring” from a position, not from a calling. Friday, at my “retirement” reception, the secretaries ordered the cake icing to read, “Congratulations Dr. Crawford on your promotion.” I was afraid I remembered what that meant and sure enough, from the Salvation Army web site, came these words: “Promotion to Glory: The Salvation Army’s description of the death of Salvationists.” I’m not a member of the Salvation Army but my great grandmother came from New York to begin the Salvation Army in Texas, so I am kind of related – enough that I don’t like this “promotion” idea any more than the “retirement” idea. Finally, I decided I would use the word “transition” for this latest adjustment, but when I looked that up in my “Cruden’s Complete Concordance” I found only “transgression” and I didn’t want any part of that. Back to “promotion” I discovered Proverbs 4:7-8 where Wisdom promotes and honors one and I decided to be “promoted.” But I refused to eat the part of the cake with that word on it. I pray that you will have less adjustment with your next “promotion.”