Last Friday 11/11/11 we had a gathering offered in Omaha. It was geared towards our 20s & 30s population and we had a potluck and movie night. The movie we watched was The Adjustment Bureau. The movie challenges your ideas on how your life is lived. Do you have free will? Is everything pre-destined? Can you change your fate?
As true Episcopalians our thoughts were all over the map. Some loved the idea of predestination. That God has a plan and that plan is in effect. Others liked the idea of personal choice. That God loves us enough to let us try our own way even if it leads to us making mistakes.
Scripture can imply both. In the Old Testament, we see God have His mind changed on more than one occassion. We also see him change the hearts of people on earth in accordance with His will. Which is really true?
We'll never know. Like so much of our relationship with the Lord it will be clouded in mystery. And for that I am grateful. We aren't meant to know all and see all. If we were - faith wouldn't be as powerful. We are meant to leap - meant to take a chance. The stars of the film took those chances for better or worse. Our existance from creation has been a chance. God knew we'd mess it up. He gave us life anyways. That decision is the greatest testament of love there is.
The event had 12 in attendance including all 3 interns. Discussion was lead by myself, but really I was more then to keep the conversation moving in a meaningful way. There was a great deal of participation. It was a roomful of young adults dedicated to sharing their story and trying, if just for a couple of hours, to understand God's will and the role He plays in our day to day life. It was beautiful. Proof that my generation hasn't fallen away from the Church. That we are here. We will worship, we will pray and we will participate in our church. That participation can (and ultimately will) include questioning. We will use the reason we are blessed with to find our way.
I hope that everyone who reads this - finds a way to support the future of the church. Reach out to the younger generations and give them a way to get involved. We may not be rich (we may not even be employed) but that doesn't mean we aren't ready to share our faith with the larger community. Across the board I've heard about the graying of the church. Find a way in the next few weeks to bring in some youthful color. Middle School, High School, Campus Ministry, 20s, 30s, Singles, Young Professionals, Young Married - we are all trying to find our place in the church. A helpful hand from a wiser more experienced member will always be appreciated.
Faithfully,
Steven
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