An interesting juxtaposition of thoughts today: the rethinkchurch.com word (rejection) with the topic of IF:Gathering’s I Believe study of the Nicene Creed (the Trinity). Here are my thoughts shared on the IF:Gathering App this morning:
“My first theology class in college was Intro to Biblical Literature – read the whole Bible in a semester, plus write paper and ace exams, of course. Even with the overload of out of class expectations, I still consider it one of my favorite college classes and it was (and still is) extremely influential in at least starting many discussion of belief. One in particular…the Trinity. I love a phrase my professor used: reciprocal relationships. God in Himself IS a reciprocal relationship: the working together of this three-ness (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) to have this ultimate, life-giving, life-saving, life-sustaining Oneness. And then the Bible reveals to us that God made us in His image, reflecting back the innate relationship. He desires from us not mindless acceptance and obedience as if following a dictator, but rather a relationship of trust, service, regular interaction. Reciprocal relationship. So this concept, this doctrine, this crazy unexplainable thing called the Trinity just make God more approachable, more loving, more intimate, to me.”
The connection to rejection, while admittedly a possible stretch, culminates in processing what happens when we reject someone: they no longer live, or, in one word, death. To thrive, like the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do as GOD, one cannot reject another. Cannot leave off, insult, discard another. Think of how you feel at a point of rejection for a job or a romantic relationship: a bit of you falls and, for at least a moment, you know little of your next steps. You often wallow and you become stagnate. Sure, alive, but not living.
So I ask, do you want to be a person who spreads rejection or a person who lives reciprocal relationships? Who leaves off a major part of yourself or discards another human being for any reason, or an individual who thrives internally and in community?
But you, my dear friend, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as your wait the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 20-21
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:25
Magdalene A.R. Mastin 