This is Kaitlin.
Kaitlin grew up in a legalistic evangelical environment. She saw things as black and white and her world view was shaped by the people who guided her. She knew of God’s goodness instinctually, but she did not see it in the actions of those who were leading and mentoring her.
Learning was encouraged by her community, but questioning the teaching was frowned upon. And as a woman, her questioning was not welcome. Feeling devalued and constricted by the legalism of her leadership, Kaitlin ultimately left her faith community for a few years.
When she began to explore her faith and engage her relationship with God again, she wanted understand how she fit into the greater narrative. She wanted to fill in the gaps between the legalism she grew up with and the freedom of the Text.
Finding enrichment in her relationship with God was still a portion of her story as God shaped the rest of her life. Kaitlin married her husband, moved across the country, started a new job, then another new job, and bought a house. Her life did not stop while she was digging into the richness of God’s story.
Then she was introduced to BEMA. While it is still relatively new to her, it affirms her instincts of God’s goodness and she continues to be convicted to speak truth lovingly and honor God.
BEMA is now her guiding companion as she explores the verses and chapters that were originally given to her as a legalistic rod. The firm boundaries and concrete meanings are now more flexible and comprehensible. She is feeling more and more free to speak up and ask questions of the Text as she plunges into the endless depths of God’s Word.
Kaitlin continues to wrestle with what her faith experience has taught her and the ancient truths nuanced in the context of the Bible. She looks forward to seeing how God will open up new doors for her understanding of what His goodness means for her and others.
