Embracing a Holy Triangle
Experiencing God’s Power
WARNING: This article reaches into my roots as an engineer who grew up in an engineering family. So, it is going to get a little “geeky.”
The triangle is one of the strongest shapes. When engineers design structures, they need to make sure that what is built withstands the weight of the structure itself and whatever other “loads” it carries. Therefore, the basic structure of bridges, roofing trusses, towers, etc. is the triangle. That is because…
A triangle effectively distributes force. When a load is applied to one of its corners, the force is distributed along its sides. The two sides facing the load experience compression, while the third side is under tension, pulling it sideways. This balance of compression and tension makes triangles very strong and stable. (https://www.asceville.org/why-is-triangle-strongest-shape)
Not surprisingly, the strength of triangles is also seen in nature. Here are a few examples. Spiders use a triangular structure to create stable, load-distributing webs. Insect wings have triangular vein patterns to add stiffness. Bees build honeycombs with hexagonal cells that can be divided into six equilateral triangles, creating a stable and efficient structure.
The Trinitarian God is three in one - Father, Son, and Spirit. There is nothing stronger in the entire universe than our omnipotent Triune God. I believe that is why he created aspects of nature using triangular structures. And why he led those in early history who began building structures to discover the strength of the triangle. The triangle mirrors God’s three in oneness.
So, what does the triangle have to do with the power of God in our lives? Richard Blackaby states it like this.
“When God’s people allow God’s truth to realign them to God’s will and God’s standard, then the power of God will be released through them the same way it was through the first disciples.”
(”Experiencing God Day by Day” by Richard Blackaby)
This can be visualized in the image below. When we build our lives on the foundation of God’s truth, accept his standards, and realign our will with his, we will experience his power.
However, there is a caveat to this reality. We cannot do it on our own - within our own power. Our “success” depends on allowing Holy Spirit to direct the entire process. We do not have enough willpower or strength to live out God’s standard and God’s will on our own. This is one reason we are given Holy Spirit at conversion. Only by allowing Holy Spirit to work in our lives can we experience the power of God. However, we are not passive in this process. The Apostle Paul said…
Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. -- Philippians 2:12 CSB
Paul is not saying that we are saved through our works. Salvation by grace alone is evident throughout God’s word. What he is saying is that we have a part in living a life pleasing to God. When it comes to living out God’s standard and will, we become participants with Holy Spirit. This is one of the many paradoxes of God. Living God’s standard and will happens only as we are empowered by Holy Spirit. Yet we are responsible for it happening. How does that work? The illustration below can help explain this.
Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth and convinces us it is indeed true. He then convicts us of the gap between our lives and God’s standards and will. Then, it is up to us. We can respond in one of two ways—obedience or non-obedience. If we respond in obedience – telling God that his truth, standards, and will are what we want in our lives, Holy Spirit empowers us to change. This process is known as the theological term “sanctification.”
If we want to experience the power of God in our lives, it begins with a triangle. God’s truth reveals God’s standard and God’s will, which leads to God’s power. Just knowing those two things, however, does not allow us to live in God’s power. We must allow Holy Spirit to transform us by agreeing that we really want to live out the truths and standards of God. When we do, we can experience the wonderful power of God in our lives!