Presented by Lauren Stibgen

Forming relationships is foundational in every aspect of our lives. From early relationships formed with family and childhood friends, to our experiences in sports, school, and work, we are made for relationships. God is relational. He was never alone. At the beginning of Genesis, we can see the unity God has in the trinity—one God, three persons: The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Father) The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters (Holy Spirit) (Genesis 1:1-2).

While Jesus is not specifically named in Genesis one, in Genesis 1:26 , God says, “Let us make man in our image” (Son).

As John 1:1-4 states: In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Thus implying Jesus.

The essence of the Almighty is one body with three distinct members. I love the simple way one person described the Trinity as “one what” and “three whos”.

We are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26 ); we are not made to do life alone. But what are relationships with one Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? The more I look externally at my relationships, the more I desire to see how this one relationship could impact every other relationship I have.

For most of us, there may be a relationship in our live that is not what we hoped it to be. If you can say boldly, no Lauren, everything is terrific with everyone in my life, I would simply love to meet you! This is not my experience, nor is it my experience with many of my close friends and colleagues. Watch the news or read an opinion article. Our relationships are very broken.

Have you ever heard the phrase “born sinner”? This is a theological phrase from the concept of the original sin born by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Yes, the one with the fruit and the snake that leaves Adam and Eve hiding in the bushes naked from God. From this, we have inherited a sinful nature from birth.

My aim is not to paint a depressing picture about a lifetime of doomed connections but rather to stress the importance of our personal relationship with God and his trinitarian nature. Each person of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—plays an important relational role in our lives. Each is a model for how we can outwardly express ourselves in relationship with others.

The early age relationships we form are called attachment relationships and help children from birth to 6 years old develop a sense of security and trust which can impact their future relationships as they get older. Can you join me in having the mind of a young child? I want you to deeply consider how you can develop a deep attachment relationship with the persons of the Trinity. A secure and trusting relationship can impact every future relationship you have! After all, some of you are God’s child! You have a fresh and new start! In John 3:3, Jesus tells us unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of God. In fact, the Trinity is seen all together in verses in John 3:1-8.

While we worship the triune God, let’s carefully consider the attributes of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit while recognizing one is not greater than another, and they exist in perfect harmony. How do these specific attributes help us relate to others?

God the Father.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation (Exodus 34:6-7).

In Exodus 34: 6-7, God describes himself to Moses. We know he is God, and we are not. Yet, we can consider his attributes in our own relationships. Are we merciful and gracious to others? Slow to anger? Do we give love abundantly and faithfully? Do we forgive?

God the Father is the creator of all created things. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (Colossians 1:16 ).

As you move through your day are you considering that God truly made everything and even established those in power? How do you relate to God’s creation? Are you approaching creation with care and thanksgiving? Are you remembering God created all people? Every person­­. Even those you don’t agree with or those who hurt you. He created them.

Have you heard the terms omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent? God is all knowing. He is ever present and all powerful. There are over one hundred names for God in the Bible—ways man has tried to explain just how glorious he really is. I could wonder at each attribute and take an entire devotional time with you in awe of God. I encourage you to read about the attributes of God and where they are in the Bible.

We know God is love because, he so loved the world that he sent his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16 ).

God the Son.

Jesus is referred to as our great mediator. He was sent by our loving Father to save us from our sin and give us eternal life.

Jesus is essential to our relationship with God. In John 14:6, Jesus proclaims: I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Jesus is essential to our prayers as we see in John 14:13-14: Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name I will do it.

Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus is peace. As we read the Gospels, we see his relationships with those who were sick physically and mentally, and who were living in sin. He works to redeem the lost and to heal. Jesus holds close personal relationships with the disciples and other friends like, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He also holds a close relationship with the Father, retreating to him often and crying out in prayer both in petition for himself in his weariness and for our salvation.

Jesus embodies love in relationships in every way. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

How are you looking to Jesus as you consider your relationships today? Are you living out the greatest commandment?

Jesus reminds us, If you love me, keep my commands.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you (John 14:15-17).

The Holy Spirit.

The proclaimed Helper asked for by Jesus and sent from the Father so we would never be alone—that is the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit that hovered over the waters at creation indwells the believers of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit gives us hope (Romans 15:13 ). The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom and understanding (Isaiah 11:2). We are promised the Holy Spirit will teach us and remind us of the words Jesus has said (John 14:26 ).

The Holy Spirit will intercede for us when we don’t know how to pray (Romans 8:26 ) or what to say (Luke 12:12 ).

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (Romans 8:16 ). We will be seen differently because of this indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit gives us power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).

We are never far from God the Father and Jesus the Son because of the Holy Spirit! We are never alone.

Can you start to feel that attachment relationship yet? The one of a young child with a loving parent? Secure and trusting?

What is beautiful about considering the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit individually, is we can see the interdependent, dependent, equally important unity displayed in the One, Triune God. The pure and powerful harmony displayed in the Trinity, paired with the knowledge that we are created in the image of God, points us right back to where we began.

The Trinity displays the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout Scripture. Scripture clearly shows communication between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus even asks, “on’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves (John 14:10-11).

John 13:20 : Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever received the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 : And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

We are reliant on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to pray to God in our times of need. We are reliant on the Holy Spirit for our spiritual gifts.

Absent the Trinity, we would not exist and surely would not have the promise of eternity and the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are created for unity—for relationships and for community. This is God’s vision for his chu