Three in One

 

 This verse beautifully portrays the three parts of the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity is a mystery to humans as our brains can’t quite wrap around how God could be One all-powerful, all-knowing being and also be three distinct, individual parts. There are lots of analogies out there, but they all end up falling short because God is just that much bigger than this world. After having walked with God for a couple of decades I feel more comfortable with this concept, but how much of that is just me becoming ok with not fully understanding? As my faith in God has grown, I’ve gained a peace about those things that I don’t quite get. But today, let’s explore the Trinity. Let’s flesh out what I do know and then be ok with what I don’t.

 God the Father is the clearest part of this grouping for me. He is above all. He is eternal (another concept difficult to grasp). He existed before the world and will exist after. He has no beginning and no end. He is all-powerful, nothing can stop Him, nothing can change Him. He is love. He loves perfectly, without the challenges we face as humans: selfishness, pride, fear. In my mind, the Father exists in Heaven. He sits on His throne. He sees all and can look down on us anywhere at any time. He listens to us when we pray, and He knows our hearts.

 Jesus, the Son of God, is distinct from the Father in that He came to Earth as a human. He was fully God and yet fully man, another mystery that is difficult if not impossible for us to grasp. Jesus did not come into existence when He was born as a child of Mary, He, like the Father, existed before the world began. In fact, according to John 1:3, everything in the world was made by Him. Jesus was the creator. We like to wrap Jesus up in this neat little package of 33 years on Earth, but He is so much more! Because Jesus spent time on Earth as a man, He is the easiest part of the Trinity for me to relate to. When I say I am a friend of God, it is Jesus that I think of. Somehow I have a harder time thinking of myself as a friend of God the Father. He seems more distant and aloof in my mind. I’m guessing that’s not real, that’s just me.

 Then we have the Holy Spirit. This part of God is infinitely relatable. He is within us as believers, communing with our spirits. He speaks to us, comforts us, guides us, convicts us. While I feel a deep connection to the Holy Spirit, I rarely, if ever, pray to Him. I pray to God, the Father. I pray to Jesus. Only once in a great while do I start a prayer with, “Holy Spirit…” I’m not sure why that is. Jesus said He was going to Heaven so that He could send the Holy Spirit to us. It’s almost like only one part of God could be away from Heaven at a time. There are lots of examples in the Old and New Testaments of the Spirit of God coming upon someone. I think this is the Holy Spirit.

 God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Three in One. One God, three parts. Each different and yet, somehow, the same. God is a beautiful mystery. He invites us to learn more about Him, and there is always more to learn.

Here’s the Thing: I’m ok with not knowing all there is to know about God. I’m ok with living in the learning. I’m ok with recognizing that I’ll never fully understand. That actually takes some of the pressure off! I’ll never completely get it because I’m human. So I don’t have to worry or stress when I don’t understand. That’s where faith comes in!

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