“Who knows?”  (Esther 4:14)

In the English speaking world the words ”providence” or ”the providence of God” are usually meaningful.  In my own language it´s difficult to give a meaningful translation of those existential terms and yet they mean so much to me.

Webster´s dictionary suggests this definition:  “a Divine guidance or care” or  “God conceived as the power sustaining and guiding human destiny”.

These would be gracious key words behind my imperfect life so full of blunders.

Søren Kierkegaard dwelt much on the providence of God as an active part of his writings.  I dare say that on the bottom line Jesus Christ was his “sustaining power”.  But I´m still not his agent, and yet he has taught me a lot.  To think not the least.

My little country has but two world famous celebrities, namely S. Kierkegaaard and Hans Christian Andersen, the fairy tale writer.  A local old age home invites me to communicate H.C.A. to the old people. But S.K. I communicate to myself.  It´s not as boring as it sounds.  In both cases it will be with the gospel in reverse.  Indeed, such a “providential” freedom I do enjoy.

As the light of the gospel penetrates my thoughts I´m impatient with traditional thinking, religious clichés, the theological philistinism of the drawing room (yawn, yawn!) as I feel led to do things differently with all the surprises that go with it like small rays of sunshine from “the providence”, and I´m awed.

Yesterday I was charmed by a gang of school children out in the open, collecting autumn flowers.  This cheerful encounter made me write a poem to their school.  I immediately got a warm welcome me to visit its principal.  Again I felt the “wind” of an active providence.  What I write is always laid at the feet of Jesus, and from there I proceed. O, my co-ambassador for Christ, be prepared to be “different” to His glory.  With His gospel in reverse.

In the providence of God.

Oct. 10, 2012 – jn