Every person connects a little differently with God. Because relationships are dynamic and no two relationships are the same, when it comes to relating to God we all perceive and interact with him uniquely. However, there seem to be patterns in how human beings relate to God.
Some of us connect more with God as Father. Perhaps because we have a strong (good or bad) relationship with our earthly fathers. Some of us connect more with God as a friend and we emphasize the relationship we have with Jesus. Perhaps because we have strong (good or bad) connections with siblings or close friends. Some of us connect more with God as Spirit. Perhaps because we have a strong (good or bad) bond with our earthly mothers.
It’s possible these earthly relationships are being projected onto our experience with God. This is not necessarily good or bad, but it’s important to name how our earthly relationships affect our view of God to identify if those projections are true and helpful or false and hurting our present experience with God.
Reflect on your relationship with God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How do you relate with each person of the Trinity? Name ways your earthly relationships have helped or hurt in relating to God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
By Yvonne Biel