The following is a conversation between Mack and God (Papa) in the New York Times Bestseller, “The Shack” by Wm. Paul Young.

There are many things that jolted me as I read this book but this conversation probably impacted me the most. If we are created in the image of God, then some very basic characteristics of God are imprinted in our makeup as human beings. As we observe ourselves and each other and wonder why we do the things we do, there may be some astounding answers in going back to exactly what was infused into our being. As with any form of art; creation expresses the heart of God. It is expressed in His Word and in His Works . . . in us. For me, the ramifications are mind boggling.

Mack: “There’s that Trinity thing, which is where I kind of get lost.”

Papa: “We are not three gods, and we are not talking about one god with three attitudes, like a man who is a husband, father, and worker. I am one God and I am three persons, and each of the three is full and entirely the one.”

“The ‘huh?’ Mack had been suppressing finally surfaced in all its glory.”

“Never mind that,” (Papa) continued. “What’s important is this: If I were simply One God and only One Person, then you would find yourself in this Creation without something wonderful, without something essential even. And I would be utterly other than I am.”

“‘And we would be without . . . ?’ Mack didn’t even know how to finish the question.”

“Love and relationship. All love and relationship is possible for you only because it already exists within Me, within God myself. Love is not the limitation; love is the flying. I am love.”

“‘You do understand,’ (Papa) continued, ‘that unless I had an object to love—or, more accurately, a someone to love—if I did not have such a relationship within myself, then I would not be capable of love at all? You would have a god who, when he chose, could only love as a limitation of his nature. That kind of god could possibly act without love, and that would be a disaster. And that, is surely not me.’”

“‘The God who is—the I am who I am—cannot act apart from love!’” (pp. 1oo-102)

The next morning as Mack “entered the main living area, he heard the sound of a familiar Bruce Cockburn tune drifting from the kitchen . . .: ‘Oh love that fires the sun, keep me burning.’” (p. 118)

Throughout the book, the theme of the interplay between the trinity is depicted as a relationship of joy, a relationship where everything is done out of a deep abiding love, a relationship that will go on forever, a relationship based on total trust and abandon, a relationship that always regards and honors the other first.

I’ve often wondered why I long for relationship so deeply. At times it almost consumes me. Sometimes I feel like I’m restlessly looking and longing everywhere I go, everywhere I turn. Sort of like the Dire Straights song, On Every Street, “It’s your face I’m looking for on every street.”

Mankind is restlessly prowling the earth looking for what . . . ? Look at the art of our culture. The songs, the movies, the books, the paintings are so often full of longing for a love that is so elusive.

Loneliness is such a powerful force that often it is the drive that keeps us seeking, scanning, trying to find . . .

But loneliness isn’t all of it. There is much more to the drive. We are built for relationship, for community, for connection, for oneness. The image of the Trinity is ingrained in our souls. We know that this relationship of joy, a relationship where everything is done out of a deep abiding love, a relationship that will go on forever, a relationship based on total trust and abandon, a relationship that always regards and honors the other first . . . we know this is real. We feel it deep in our souls. We resign ourselves to our realities and settle into a life of less, yet our hearts are restless, searching.

Some, although few, fortunate people (hopefully full of gratitude and appreciation) actually experience a bit of this heaven on earth in a lifelong companion that is more than a friend, more than a partner . . . a soul mate.

I believe these few people on this earth find such a relationship so satisfying because it resonates with the oneness within the Trinity . . .

. . . and resonates with the oneness that God desires with us. He seeks us relentlessly and asks that we simply surrender to His all engulfing love.

Life becomes no longer about me. It is about living out love on earth. A love that, if grasped, disappears. A love that can only be held and expressed with open hands.

This then becomes the foundation for any and all relationships here on earth as we strive toward love being the “reason” for everything we do; every action, every reaction, every word, every thought, every intention; our raison d’etre (reason for existence) . . .