I studied computer science in college and have written a variety of computer applications since then. When writing code that contains a repeated set of instructions or a “loop,” many times I would test that loop with a data set of three. Iterating through a loop twice is not enough to verify the entry and exit conditions of the loop, but three is. If the loop works for three times it should work for 300 times, or 90,000, or 27 million. Another use of three is in the Capstone career readiness class that I teach in high school where some of my students are preparing a resumé. I have them include references of three people who can testify to their character and work ethic. One or two people isn’t quite enough. Four or five isn’t necessary on an entry level resume. So three is just right.
I don’t want to overstate the significance of the number three. It’s just a number, but it does seem to represent a sense of harmony, completeness, and strength. It’s referred to in the Bible nearly 500 times. The unique triune God is one, yet comprised of three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. People, being created by God in his image, have three aspects to their being: body, soul (mind, will, emotions, personality), and spirit. Time divides into past, present, and future. Space includes height, width, and depth. A triangle is one of the strongest shapes in construction. A cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The United States, which is the world’s longest standing democracy, divides its governing power across three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Visual compositions with a strong sense of balance utilize the Golden Ratio also known as the Rule of Thirds. Comedic content is often delivered in three parts: set-up, anticipation, and punchline. The three-act structure is a powerful storytelling mechanism. As you can see the number three is common in many different areas of life.
Make a List
Life is made of three significant components: relationships, decisions, and moments. I’d like you to consider going through a simple exercise which utilizes the number three to foster growth in those areas of your life and hopefully draw you closer to God. The task is simple: Write down three things in the following six categories.
- Three things you are thankful for.
- Three joys of your life.
- Three things you want to change that are within your control (Maybe a circumstance, a habit, or a personality trait, or something you want to learn).
- Three values (Who is dear to you. Or what virtues or things are important to you).
- Three outward blessings (These are ways you can be a blessing to others)
- Three truths (Wisdom, advice, beliefs that have impacted you which you want to pass on to help others).
Make a Change
As you brainstorm and write, it’s fine if you come up with more than three things in a category. Jot them all down. Just try to come up with a least three in each area. Once you have a list, the key is what to do with it. Use the list to to grow by deepening your relationships, discerning wise choices, making the most of opportunities, and cherishing meaningful moments. This strategy can be difficult at times to implement, but you are not alone. Ask God for help, even if you never have before. He created you and he loves you. Confess any wrongdoing to him and receive his forgiveness. Then move forward with him daily in three powerful ways:
- Thank Him. Thank him for what you are thankful for. Praise him for the joys in your life. God’s grace is all around you. “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us [those who place their trust in him] from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession” (James 1:17-18). God’s grace and love are especially evident in Jesus, God the Son, who lived the life that you should live and died the death that you deserve for your sin. He rose again so that whoever trusts him to save them can know God and experience everlasting, abundant life. I am ever grateful to God for Jesus.
- Seek Him. Jesus taught, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun” (Psalm 37:3-6). For with that heart attitude you will be rightly aligned with God. There is no better place to be than with him, learning to be like him, and doing what he does. Entrust to him who and what you hold dear. Let him make those connections even more special and significant. Allow him to teach you how to be a blessing to others as you let his love and truth change you and overflow from you to others.
- Rely on Him. Surrender your will and your way to his will and his way. Give him the things you want to change. His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:6-10). Place your faith in him which is your hope, loyalty, trust, and obedience and he will transform you from the inside out to become all you were designed to be in Jesus. This is far more glorious and everlasting than anything you can achieve on your own.
Conclusion
You will probably think about the number three more often this week. You’ll begin observing it in places you used to overlook. Although there is nothing mystical about the number, it is a useful construct for introducing change and growth in your life. Keep adding to your list. You can even come up with more categories. The important thing is not the list itself, but what you do with the list. Rely on God to make changes in your life. Bring to him your shortcomings, failures, and sin and he promises to cleanse you of all unrighteousness and to heal you of all brokenness (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 34:15-20). Then each day ask him to show you and to empower you to live abundantly, celebrating what is good, right, and loving as you humbly seek to please him and to serve others.