Friday, December 07, 2007
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Kitty woo and free election
My new kitty was on my lap today and I was thinking how this is a perfect illustration of God and free will and election.
We went to the animal hospital in my area to look at a flame point siamese that was advertised on petfinder. I thought we could take a look after church. When we walked in, they escorted us to a small room with two cats in cages and I immediately saw my new kitty. It wasn't the one we came to see, but his unadvertised sister- a torti point. I had been asking God for this for awhile and here she was. We took her home and it has been fantastic.
While she sat on my lap, I realized this is how the election argument is presented. God walks in to the small room and chooses us because He wants to. I choose Kitty Woo based on her looks- I didn't know her personality. But here is where I differ...while I choose Kitty Woo, she had to respond somehow in order for us to have a relationship. After time spent with her, she follows me around and as soon as I sit down, she jumps up and curls on my lap. For me, election is a both/and argument. I don't think I have anything in me that 1st pursued God- He came to me but I did respond. Why? I don't know why? Did I still have some area of uncorrupted reason- no, but why then? This is one area that I know cannot be solved by theologians today and am glad I can just love God without it.
A friend from church and school and I were talking about the follow through that seems lacking from a popular preacher who is communication vision about the need to follow through with social justice issues and oppression. It is a great thing he is doing, but at some point there needs to be a "surrender" and a choice. This is what Kitty Woo illustrated to me, Not some lofty talk about theology and Calvinism vs. Armenianism, but real life in our community that is reflecting a love for people and creation that is based on God's act of redemption. We need to reflect God's love through our choosing to be with people just because God loved us first. We need to walk the balance between sharing the full gospel and working with the community to reverse oppression and bring justice and reflect God's mercy.
All this because of Kitty Woo. Who knew God could use a cat to teach me these intense lessons I listen to in seminary.
We went to the animal hospital in my area to look at a flame point siamese that was advertised on petfinder. I thought we could take a look after church. When we walked in, they escorted us to a small room with two cats in cages and I immediately saw my new kitty. It wasn't the one we came to see, but his unadvertised sister- a torti point. I had been asking God for this for awhile and here she was. We took her home and it has been fantastic.
While she sat on my lap, I realized this is how the election argument is presented. God walks in to the small room and chooses us because He wants to. I choose Kitty Woo based on her looks- I didn't know her personality. But here is where I differ...while I choose Kitty Woo, she had to respond somehow in order for us to have a relationship. After time spent with her, she follows me around and as soon as I sit down, she jumps up and curls on my lap. For me, election is a both/and argument. I don't think I have anything in me that 1st pursued God- He came to me but I did respond. Why? I don't know why? Did I still have some area of uncorrupted reason- no, but why then? This is one area that I know cannot be solved by theologians today and am glad I can just love God without it.
A friend from church and school and I were talking about the follow through that seems lacking from a popular preacher who is communication vision about the need to follow through with social justice issues and oppression. It is a great thing he is doing, but at some point there needs to be a "surrender" and a choice. This is what Kitty Woo illustrated to me, Not some lofty talk about theology and Calvinism vs. Armenianism, but real life in our community that is reflecting a love for people and creation that is based on God's act of redemption. We need to reflect God's love through our choosing to be with people just because God loved us first. We need to walk the balance between sharing the full gospel and working with the community to reverse oppression and bring justice and reflect God's mercy.
All this because of Kitty Woo. Who knew God could use a cat to teach me these intense lessons I listen to in seminary.
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