It is detestable and dangerous for a wrestler to be slack at the start of a contest, thereby giving proof of his impending defeat to everyone. Let Us have a firm beginning to our religious life, for this will help us if a certain slackness comes later. A bold and eager soul will be spurred on by the memory of its first zeal and new wings can thus be obtained. (John Climacus)

I was born into a family, time, and place for which the church was a key institution. Our weekly schedule was organized by church, school, work and singing (and football during the season).

I accepted these priorities. In high school I was fortunate to be part of a large church youth group. But there was nothing in this inherited relationship with a religious institution that inspired much zeal. In fact, my religious tradition was suspicious of zealousness.

My spiritual beginnings, while not exactly slack, do not inspire. I have not been born again. Instead, it seems to me I have ascended one rung at a time, seldom stepping back, but after a half-century beginning to reach an inspiring height.