Benevolent Providence

Prior to receiving communion with the Orthodox Church, a parishioner must confess. The process is different than with the Catholic Church; with the Orthodox Church, confession is done every time one is preparing to receive communion, and is done in small groups with the priest. One reads a standard yet comprehensive list of sins to confess; if anyone has something out of the ordinary to confess, there is an opportunity to do that, and, of course, if there is something serious to discuss with the priest privately, that can be done, as well.

One phrase from confession that has been on my mind in recent weeks is the part showing appreciation for God's "benevolent providence over me, a sinner."

I think even believers often fail to understand the significance of this; or, if they do understand, they fail to realize the ramifications.

We all make mistakes and do things we shouldn't do. God has given us instructions as to what we should and should not do, God has told us what is right and wise, and what is wrong and foolish. Like a child that perhaps doesn't understand the significance of a hot stove until he gets burned, we don't always pay attention to the Lord's instructions, and we do things we shouldn't, things we have been warned about. We then get hurt, we then hurt others, we then make a mess of things – this is "sin."

God understands this, and is still watching over us for our own good. When we are believers, when we are Christians, we recognize that we need His help in our lives, and we ask Him to guide us. He "rules" our lives, although, since this is with our consent (the consent of us, the "governed"), this is proper even to our limited understanding of ruling over people.

God's rule over our lives is for our own good. Perhaps the closest we can come to understanding this is when we look at good, loving parents trying to raise their children, although, as humans, such parents are still imperfect (and, of course, there are bad parents who abuse their children…); God is beyond being a "good parent," as He is the Best, a Perfect Parent. Since His dominion in our lives is for our own good, His is a Benevolent Providence in the lives of us sinners.

What does all this mean?

Despite our efforts (which sometimes are greater than at other times), we are sinners and continue to do things we shouldn't do; and, as believers, we freely seek God's help and give Him dominion over our lives. What we need to do is acknowledge our mistakes, errors, and the wrongs we do. There can be no growth if we do not acknowledge our shortcomings and try to do better, and there can be no justice if we do not acknowledge the wrongs we do. Once we acknowledge this, we invite Him, again and again (perhaps more as a reminder to ourselves than as a reminder to Him) to intervene in our lives, not only for our own good, for the good of those around us.

There is no mistake too great for Him to fix; there is no one who is so lost that He does not know where that lost person is and how to lead that lost person back to where he should be. But, we do need to actively seek His input and guidance. It is a tiny thing indeed, to admit a mistake and ask for help, then He will do the rest; however, this tiny thing is a very great thing, as we must set aside our pride, which gets us into trouble and separates us not only from Him but from those around us. For too many people, setting aside pride is an act that seems out of reach.

If you can, however, acknowledge your mistakes before Him (and before others) and ask for help, you will find that God is ready, willing and able to intervene in your life for the benefit not only of you but of society around you – this is what it means that God has "Benevolent Providence over me, a sinner."

(Cross-posted at Gangstyle.com.)