During this pandemic, our church started doing daily devotions using Facebook Live. Each day, one of our church leaders would discuss various topics of the Bible to give inspiration, hope, and sometimes a reality check. One morning during a church leader’s discussion of scripture, she asked, “What Trinity are you worshipping?” This question really got me thinking about the different “trinities” people identify with and are at the forefront of their minds.
If you were raised in a liturgical church and was asked about the Trinity, your mind most likely goes straight to “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” – God in three parts. Christ is the Son of God (“This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” Matt. 17:5) and it is through a relationship with Christ that we are able to have a relationship with the Father. (Christ said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6) When Christ talked to the disciples about his ascension to heaven He said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26. Simply put, the Holy Spirit will guide us to follow the ways of Christ, which leads to a relationship with Christ, which will lead us to a relationship with God the Father. This is the Holy Trinity at work.*
If you were raised in the South, being asked about the “trinity” your mind might think of cooking. The “holy trinity” of cooking is onion, celery, and carrots or onion, celery, and green peppers – the bases of many southern dishes, including gumbo, jambalaya, and etouffees. These basic vegetables create a flavorful base when they are equal in parts and cooked together. When we think about the Holy Trinity, and how the three work together in our lives, we can understand where calling the base of many dishes the “holy trinity” developed. (There are many other tasty dishes that include these basic vegetable combinations, such as many soups and stews, that are not traditional southern dishes.)
The world would like us to worship another “trinity” – Me, Myself, and I. This is not the “Holy Trinity” or a “holy trinity.” This worldly trinity is one that will create death in our souls. When we strive to put ourselves first and above others, we are going against everything that Jesus did and taught us. Christ said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34. The world wants us to buy into the philosophy that our needs, wants, and desires should be our focus. We are to do whatever it takes to have the “best” of everything, even if it means hurting others. The world tells us that only our happiness matters, it’s our money and we can do with it what we want, and telling a lie doesn’t matter if it gets me what I want.
While putting others before yourself brings rewards, it is hard and can be overwhelming at times. If it was easy to put others first, more people would live their lives differently. I choose to worship the Holy Trinity. I choose to put others before myself. I choose to do what I can to make a difference in this world. I choose to follow the ways of Christ and let the Holy Spirit guide me, so I can have a relationship with my Heavenly Father.
My question to you is: What “trinity” are you worshiping and how will you choose to live your life?
If you are looking for ways to give back to your community, here are some great organizations to check out: local Boys & Girls Club, Operation Backyard, and if you are in Knoxville – Emerald Youth Foundation, Street Hope, and The Restoration House.
*This is a basic explanation of the Holy Trinity. If you would like a deeper understanding of the Holy Trinity, I encourage you to talk to your religious leader or research yourself. There are many scholarly books on the topic.
Trying to Navigate the World and Follow God’s Plan 
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