God's Providing

There is a theological term called "providence" that I always shirked off as some sort of watered down pre-destination. It's been a hard line that I just won't cross. And, its all caught up in my lack of knowing the difference between the two. See, pre-destination is one of the most repugnant ideas in all of Christianity to me. It assumes a God that creates humans just to have a little fun in punishing us in the end. It assumes a God that micro-manages all lives and all things in the world. (Have you ever worked for a micro-manager? It's killer.) And, to be so trite, you know what assumption makes of you and me.

So, what is the difference between providence and pre-destination? Providence believes that God is always working in the world for our best-lives to come forth. It knows that God loves us and wants the misery of this life to end, if only we would open up our minds and hear God's call and nudges.

In the past 2 years, I have experienced the powerful knowing of God's providence. I moved to Kansas City not because I wanted to, but there was job here. Like most people in their 20's, I ended up where the job was. Since moving here, however, I have been provided with a great deal of love and encouragement from people and from God. I found the love of my life and we get married in October. (I never believed in that term "love of my life" before now, but that is for another post.) I have discovered that God wants me to share a message of Love and Acceptance to people who have heard differently from the religious right and televangelists that I would propose sending to hell, if only I believed in "hell." (Yet again, that will be another post.) God has given me a financial security, albiet quite small but it is secure, to start a new faith community to invite others into knowing a God that LOVES and ACCEPTS them.

I could go on, because there is so much to say. My hope is that my life and this community we are building will be a living out of God's providence, a new voice about how God works in the world, a place where people who wonder and question will be welcomed. You are invited to be a part of this journey. Blessings to all,

Kelli

the beginning

Oh, it shall come; a post will soon come alive!