When I was a student (a very long time ago), our art teacher set up some fruit in a basket on his desk. He instructed us to spend our class time trying to capture that image on paper. The next day he tacked the drawings on the wall. How very different each one was; we all saw the same thing but even our area of the classroom was reflected in the final image. I think that is why there are different churches; all seeing the same image of a Saviour, just having somewhat different interpretations or coming at the idea from a different point of view.
It helps me understand things like gospel music, traditional hymns and even chanted psalms. All glorify God, only in a different manner. A visit to my grandson’s Ukrainian Catholic church allowed me to better understand the sincerity in their church worship , although their worship traditions are so different from mine. It was a real learning experience. And certainly my Ladies’ Bible Study Group (Presbyterian, United and Baptist) are diverse enough to stretch my concepts about faith.
I’ve read three books recently, by people who (or whose children) have experienced angels and heaven. Some of the stories are more believable than others. I have to step back and see things from their perspective and usually end up saying “perhaps.”
I felt this way until I recalled an incident from many years ago, when I fell off the kitchen counter where I was standing. I almost felt the arms of an angel under me as I sort of slipped gently down to the floor. I still can’t explain it.
I search not only the scriptures but insights others have received. The other day I read a sentence that solved some of the mystery of the Trinity. In The Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Kevin and Alex Malarkey, a young boy is asked if he has Jesus in his heart, he replies “no”. The young boy continues, “Jesus doesn’t live in my heart – He wouldn’t fit. The Holy Spirit is in my heart.” And then I remembered that Jesus said he had to die and in so doing the “Comforter” would come to us. I have been struggling with the Trinity for years and although someone with a theological background could better explain it, it sure helped me.
So as each day dawns I change somewhat in my understanding of God. This little bit of clay is still in the Potter’s hands and He still shapes and changes me.
