Trinity Icons: Left- Scott the Painter.
Right Top, St. James church of Urschalling.
Right Bottom Andrei Rublev.
For me, these are the days of yearning to create a hxealing connection from a centered soul—purposefully grounded in my Source, the Triune God. When that connection is genuine, I can connect with others who hold divergent thoughts and regulate my responses, even with purposefully divisive ones. This intentionality could make it possible to open a Third Way that cares for my most vulnerable neighbor while also creating space for others to see and respond to their neighbors’ vulnerability. Does that make sense?
When I speak of the Third Way, my words are drawn from icons of the Triune God. These depictions of the three-in-one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Mother and Father of us all—reveal a divine essence that defers, refers, and prefers the other. They are relational icons, sacred teachings that show us how to live in faith, hope, and love—a love that transforms our thinking, feeling, and doing.
Sometimes, in conflict, I try to choose a side to stay connected, but I feel sidelined by my soul. I want to have a camp, to know I have a tribe, but then I remember: I’m called to be that kid who refuses to wear designer brands or jump on the bandwagon of the most popular thing. The Third Way doesn’t have an easy label or a pre-printed T-shirt. Or I’ll brand that T-shirt and see if there are others who want to join me in being unbranded!
The metaphor of the Triune God opens a pathway to conflict transformation, especially in times when our thoughts, emotions, and actions feel so polarized and fractured that finding a third way seems impossible. Even when dear ones beg me to choose a side, to use language that outs or condemns the other, I return to this icon. It is a mirror of the macrocosm within the microcosm of myself.
Three-in-One God icons invite us to step into divine hospitality, where each figure makes space for the other in a perpetual dance of self-giving. This lovely rhythm teaches us that true transformation happens when we create room for the other—even those we struggle to understand or accept. It calls us to reject binary thinking and to resist the urge to divide the world into us versus them. Instead, it offers a vision of unity in diversity, of peace born from mutual regard.
In a world that often demands allegiance to one camp or another, this vision of the Third Way feels radical and God-like. It challenges the instinct to escalate division and instead asks us to embody a different kind of power—the power of humility, empathy, and interdependence.
This way of being is not passive; it requires courage to sit at a table with those who differ from us and to hold space for their humanity while remaining rooted in our own convictions. The way of faith leans on the hope of reconciliation and the love that transcends fear and violence.
Evil requires judgment, vengeance, and violence. The Third Way requires a pause to gather yourself and hear the voice that calls us all beloved.
These icons are more than images for me. They are an invitation to live as participants in what Martin Buber calls the “divine dance” to reflect the relational nature of God in our own lives. And so, even when the world demands I take a side, I return to this sacred vision. It reminds me that the Third Way is not a compromise but a calling—a way of life that transforms polarization into possibility and division into communion. May it be so for God’s sake and the sake of our children.
I pray all this in the name of the Father who transcends high thoughts, The Son Jesus whose heart beats and bleeds for the vulnerable, and the wind and fire of the Holy Spirit to continually transform us to reflect the God who is Mother and Father of us all.
If this is a prayer for you, Trinitarian Third-way connection and action for the sake of our world in coming blogs.
Need a place to practice the third way? Join me in these opportunities with me:
Don’t delay time is of the essence!
1. Human Trafficking Train the Trainer. For agencies and advocates. I teach on how the church can collaborate with governmental and secular agencies for the sake of the most vulnerable.
More Information here: https://mhttf.org/train-the-trainer/
2. Group Spiritual Direction a few slots open for Friday morning: https://docs.google.com/…/1d69YNMcV0ng0DsZi…/viewform…
(see #2 below for more info)
3. FREE ENNEA-SUMMIT: I’M Thrilled to join a brilliant group of presenters for The EnneaSummit focusing on spiritual formation and the Enneagram. See #3 below for more info.
Spiritual Direction Group still has a few slots
Once a month Friday Mornings.
Click here for more info or to sign up
Explore the Enneagram Trinitarian Harmony Model paired with Group Spiritual Direction (GSD).
What’s Included:
- Five monthly teachings on the Enneagram Trinitarian Harmony Model.
- Reflection questions and spiritual practices to deepen your connection with the Trinity.
- Guided Group Spiritual Direction with seasoned spiritual director and IEA-professionals
- Cohort Details:
- Dates: January–May 2025.
- Times: Choose one: Wednesday evenings, Friday mornings, or Friday afternoons.
- Cost: $385.
GSD fosters empathy, deep listening, and discernment. Participants share their stories, while the group offers prayerful reflection, phrases, or images to encourage growth and clarity.
Click here for more info or to sign up
AND join me for a FREE Spiritual Formation and Enneagram Summit. If you cant join live you can purchase an all access package!
FREE Spiritual Formation and Enneagram Summit and if you can’t join live you can purchase an all access package
We’re thrilled to invite you to this one-of-a-kind event featuring a lineup of excellent teachers, including:
Rich Villodas
John Ortberg
Dan Allender
Suzanne Stabile
Jerome Wagner
Beth McCord
Clare Loughrige
…and many more!
This is a unique opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey and explore the Enneagram in a supportive, faith-centered community. Don’t miss this transformative gathering!
Please use my affiliate Link for your free ticket here:
https://www.tylerzach.com/sf/
Let 2025 be a year of transformation in the tension for us all!
With faith, hope, and especially love,
Scott and Clare
