No, there’s not a typo in the title. I didn’t mean to write “Trigonometry.”

So don’t fear that we’ll be discussing math in this post!

I’m referring instead to the Trinity, a concept that can leave some people scratching their heads.

Do Christians worship three gods?

How does the “three-in-one” idea even work?

Over the centuries people have come up with different analogies to explain the idea that God exists in three distinct Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

St. Patrick famously employed a shamrock as a visual metaphor to explain the Trinity to the Irish. He used the shamrock’s three leaves growing from a single stem to illustrate how the three Persons of the Trinity are distinct yet one.

But here we risk leaving the impression that each member is only one third of God, instead of each being 100% God. So the luck of the Irish fails us in finding the perfect analogy in a shamrock.

Some compare the Trinity to an egg, which also has three parts. The shell, the white, and the yolk together make up one egg. But this analogy has its flaws, too, and leaves the concept rather scrambled.

Another analogy is that of water, which can exist in three different states: a liquid, a steam or vapour, or a solid (ice). But God isn’t one person who merely changes “modes.” Again, this comparison’s limitations leave it a bit soggy.

We might think of ourselves as a sort of trinity: we’re composed of mind, body and spirit. Once more, however, the analogy breaks down. Among the problems with this comparison is that a human’s mind, body, and spirit don’t have separate personal identities or the ability to be in a social relationship with each other the way the members of the Trinity do.

I promised I wouldn’t burden you with math today, but I’ll slip in a final analogy for the Trinity, the mathematical or geometric model. Some use the formula 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 or a cube (width, height, depth) to illustrate three distinct dimensions forming one single object. But this comparison leaves me decidedly cold. God is not a box.

Because God is unique, any earthly analogy will eventually fall short of the mystery.

The truth is, the Trinity isn’t a math problem to be solved, but a love story to be entered into.

The three Persons of the Trinity have existed from eternity past in a mutually indwelling relationship, communicating with and loving one another. They have distinct personalities and roles and yet are inseparably united in one essence that overflows with love.

The Trinity is like a lively dance that pulsates and resounds with unimaginable love. The amazing thing is that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit invite us into this unending, whirling, joyful dance. Jesus said:

"Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." (John 14:23)

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." (Revelation 3:20)

Scripture tells us that God is love.

God showed His love for us by giving His Son to save us from our sins. Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, showing that God’s love for us was not only sacrificial but also proactive.

God’s love for His children is eternal, and He promises that nothing can separate us from His love.

Wouldn’t you like to enter into this relationship of love with your Creator?

Believe that Jesus died for your sins, accept the forgiveness He bought for you at the Cross, and take your first steps into a new life.

Care to dance?

© 2026 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.