Connected to Connection

I heard heavy footsteps approaching behind me and instinctively moved to the right side of the park’s concrete path. Something sounded odd in the pace. I turned just as they passed: an elderly man, conversing on a mobile phone, while holding the hand of a disabled young man who wobbled beside him in an uneven gait.

They advanced and then U-turned, returning from the opposite direction. Elderly man, young man and someone — invisible to me — on the other end of a phone call. Something in their familiarity — the facial expressions of trust, the unapologetic touch, the tone of voice on the phone call — suggested a deep connection in these three very different beings. Three separate people, connected by flesh and phone.

As strange as this might sound, in that moment I had a strong impression of our three-in-one godhead of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each linked with the other in a union of interdependency. To be honest, I’ve often found the three-in-oneness of the Trinity confusing. Mystical for sure. And pretty much on the “not understandable” end of theological concepts. Yet this reality of God also woos me closer in relationship with him. 

There are those undeniable instances when I’ve sensed God’s presence, his entering my every-day and providing the precise wisdom and direction I’ve needed. When I found myself being tapped for a leadership position — feeling much more broken than competent — and then God’s nudge prodded, “Elisa, give me your deficits and I’ll make them your offering.”

When I prayed for guidance about accepting a call to lead women and then my daily reading included Jesus’ words in John 15:16, “I have chosen you to bear fruit, fruit that will last.” When I’d normally move forward toward platform accomplishment but instead, followed an inner inclination to step backward into a quieter role of observation and support. 

In each occurrence, I’ve found myself wanting more. More clarity. More direction. More communication. More of being connected to connection.   

In John 16:12, the apostle quotes Jesus describing God’s relationship with, well, with the rest of himself, and how together, Father, Son and Spirit provide the wisdom and provision we need. “(The Spirit) will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” He goes on in verse 15, “All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” 

Together they form a triune One. And together they beckon me forward to themselves. Father, Son and Spirit communicate to each other. Father, Son and Spirit communicate to me.

Perhaps this is the very thing I’ve been made for? Connected to the connection illustrated in Father, Son and Spirit?

Such heavy thinking for a walk in the open space behind my house.

I looked over my shoulder down the path to see their three-in-one silhouette now far in the distance. From this distance they were seemingly even more “one” than the up-close collection that passed me by. The image stays with me still.