Wonder & Mystery

There are times in life and faith that we all put on our detective’s hat and dive deep into the mysteries that occupy our minds with the question of why. The author of a good mystery story reveals certain (sometimes very specific or intentionally vague) pieces of information to keep its reader yearning for more, keeping them on the edge of their seat while they frantically read to discover the ending. As an avid mystery reader and writer my oldest daughter says there is an incredible tension (and satisfaction) between revealing all to the reader or leaving them “hanging on a cliff”. 

Whether it is a detective novel about murder, a cozy mystery, or a grand caper, we typically find an end to the story, the answer to the question of “whodunnit”, and why. When we come to reading and studying scripture, we are at times left “hanging on the cliff” wanting more, expecting more, and at times, even demanding more. 

God in his infinite wisdom has authored for us an incredible story that continues from the first days of creation to this moment in time right now and reaches into the future, a future to which only he knows. As the author of the greatest story ever told we as his creation are characters with limited understanding as we are placed somewhere into the timeline of this grand narrative. 

For me, one of the greatest mysteries in this story that we are all a part of as followers of Jesus (and perhaps even those who are not) is that of the relationship between the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through His inspired word to us God reveals to us pieces of information that create in us a great sense of wonder and mystery of who he is.

One God, “three persons”. It is a lot to wrap our minds around. There is a lot that do know from the words of scripture and yet there is still plenty of mystery surrounding this incredible God that we have. Many have dedicated their lives to the study of the doctrine of the Trinity over centuries of time and I in no way can explain much here in less than 600 words. One thing I can do is share this thought. 1 John 4:6-21 talks about God’s love and ours; simply stated, “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

At the beginning of time God walked with Adam and Eve (3:8), he was present with them and desired to be with them. When sin entered the world that loving intimate relationship was broken. Yet, God still desired to be with his people, so he sent Jesus to be present with his people; to show us how to live in love with him and one another. Jesus showed his love for us through his life, death and resurrection. When Jesus left to be in heaven we were not left alone, he sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, to know how to live in love, and continue to know the love of God and so that others could know him. 

In each expression of who God is, we as followers of Jesus will experience his incredible love. He is present in our lives each and every day through the Spirit, who is God. When we live in love, we live in God who is love and he lives within us. (is your head spinning yet?) 

For me, I love that there is wonder and mystery around this incredible truth. I don’t have to have it all figured out, to know every little detail. I have faith in the words of scripture that reveals to us who he is as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am okay with sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to know more. How about you? Are you living in love; in God, who is love? Do you wonder about this incredible mystery?