Camaraderie – collaborative – companioning. The three words share a common quality with yet another ‘C’ word – a special kind of word capturing what the others all might foster. Community. And, with Father God as the ultimate companioning presence, what better partner to engage with?
“Faith was never meant to be done alone.” Whoever coined that line understood, and likely treasured deeply, the precious prize found in communal action at its best.
The wonder of collaborating with God in the partnering feature of our Christ-formation process is gloriously evident in the fact that God himself brims with community. And, of a kind of community that surpasses our ability to imagine or describe. The Triune God, referencing the blessed Trinity – God the Father and Son and Spirit – fascinates and stupefies our human minds.
The old Puritans of centuries past coined a pithy term that reflects the warmth of their view of God as a glorious personal being of unfettered, extravagant love, joy, goodness and peace. Puritans had a habit of labeling the Trinity a “sweet Society.”
We may now imagine our sweet-society God as he radically partners with his people in the enterprise of forming us to reflect the very nature of Jesus.
– ©2025 Jerry Lout Writer/Speaker Jerry Lout grew up in Okmulgee County. Jerry’s “Living with a Limp” and “Giants in the Rough” are available through Amazon. Current projects include “Inside-Out” and “Thresholds” – a string of narratives highlighting surprises, sorrows and adventure in the post-Africa years. Jerry welcomes reader comments at jerrylout@gmail.com and 918-857-4373.
