You know what the problem is. Jesus, you lived a good life, you helped people, loved even the worst of them. You didn’t preach from some high hill and then walk away. You lived the kind of life we do. That’s huge. But when you talk about yourself, your Father, and now this Spirit, it’s like you’re trying to push our brains through a sieve. What in all of heaven and the world are you doing to us? Don’t make it so complicated and miserably hard!

True. What Jesus said about himself, where he came from, and for what reasons can make you feel like you’ve got no chance of getting anywhere near something in which to believe. Yet, if it was easy, would it mean anything, have any real significance?

It’s been said, what you believe you become. If your god is a small g, you will be as well.

You owe it to yourself to grapple with these huge concepts and find in them whatever it is that you can become. And to be all you can become, it takes effort, not a simple “Five Easy Ways to Find Yourself.” Guess that’s why Jesus said, “Oh, there is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now.”

Gemstone Theology

Think of it like this: There’s God (Father/Creator/Sender) and Jesus (Son/Savior/Lover/Sent) and Spirit (Holy/Guide/Comforter/Send-Forth). Granted that’s plenty to take in but get the picture. They are diverse in roles and characteristics. They also know each other intimately. Again, from Jesus, “All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever is received from me.”

Maybe this can help. A cut jewel has several facets. You can view it from the various sides and the reflection it makes, but all contribute to its inner brilliance. However you come to God, understanding beyond one single consideration is required. Known as the Trinity, it is God with a Big G.

Communal

You said Jesus is a strain to the brain? Here’s more: All three talk to each other. But not like three people having a dialogue. Embedded in them is a flow, each into the other, definitely not singular but as one, a whole.

Ok, rest your head a minute. Put it all under the heading of Relationship. Again, from Jesus, “[The Spirit] will not be presenting its own ideas…bringing me glory by revealing whatever is received from me.”  They get each other because they are each other.

It fits though. Jesus affirmed the Greatest Commandment is to “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And Love your neighbor as yourself.” God with a Big G is the highest form of relationship and is known by Love. Relationship  with neighbor (and enemy) is likewise.

The So What

Remember how Jesus said there was so much more, but we couldn’t quite get it. Admittedly, as human beings we are finite. Comparatively speaking, the greatest minds cannot conceptualize all there is of Big G. In deference to our limitations, we only get so much for now.

But that’s still ok. Because what you believe you become. This Big G God wants to know and be known. That’s relationship. Relationships press in on all parts of who you are. As with all kinds, whether marriage, parenting, family and deep friendships, change and growth are required. You can’t truly love and stay the same. Self-centered individualism will not stretch and grow who you are.

Big G God; God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; Creator, Redeemer, Guide; however you come to God and neighbor in love will transform you into a better, bigger version of yourself.

Jesus said the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth.

Believe this and so you shall become.

John 16:12-15

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The Trouble with Jesus: Considerations Before You Walk Away by Constance Hastings

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