Tag Archives: Alpha Point

Lifetime Lessons

July 2, 2024 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NIV)

Along my spiritual journey, I have found that there are some lessons that I learned in a moment while there are other lessons that have required my lifetime to learn.

As a young person, I confess that I wasn’t great with money. Looking back, I believe there were a number of reasons for my lack of financial wisdom and discipline. It took me many years and a few mandatory classes at the School of Hard Knocks for me to wise up. Some of the lessons I had to learn about money were financial, some were behavioral, and some were spiritual.

One of the spiritual lessons I had to learn is that there is nothing in this world that is truly mine. When Jesus said He was the “Alpha and Omega” I believe that there is more to the metaphor than simply meaning He was present at the beginning and will be present at the end. I believe that everything in creation flowed from Christ and eventually everything will flow back to Him. The priest philosopher Chardin wrote about the “Omega Point” in physics. It’s the notion that just as the universe expanded from a small point of matter in the Big Bang, it will eventually collapse back into itself.

In John’s version of the Jesus Story, he begins with an epic prologue about Christ in which he writes, “Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” In the book of Revelation, the same John is given a vision of heaven’s throne room. I have always found it interesting that as the multitudes praise Jesus they cry:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5:12 (NIV) [emphasis added]

The Great Story presents Jesus as the Alpha Point. Everything comes from Him. It then presents Jesus as the Omega Point. Everything returns to Him. This brings me to the conclusion that nothing I have is mine. This includes my children and grandchildren who, like my finances, have been graciously given to me to steward. But, make no mistake, they belong to God. I’m simply a steward and a caretaker of all things in my dominion like the ones in Jesus’ parable of the talents. This, in turn, changes the way I think about everything I think I have or own. It’s taken me a lifetime to get here. I’m still learning.

In today’s final chapter of 1 Chronicles, David places Solomon on the throne, gives his personal treasures to the Temple building project, and encourages all the people of Israel to do the same. After the treasures are given to the construction project, David prays. As he prays he gives voice to this lesson it’s taken me a lifetime to learn.

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

When I thought that everything was mine, I confess that I was Ebenezer Scrooge-like in my generosity. As I have embraced the spiritual reality that nothing is mine and I am God’s steward of everything have, it has fueled generosity. Once again, I think of Jesus’ parable of the talents. If it all belongs to Him then the real question is “How does He want me to invest it?”

In the quiet this morning, I find myself both grateful and convicted. I’m grateful for the lessons I’ve learned and to experience how far I’ve come from the days of fiscal foolishness and my utter lack of discipline with money. I know, however, that I’m not done learning. I’ve still got a lot to learn when it comes to stewarding all that I have been given.

The chapter-a-day journey continues tomorrow with the book of Romans!

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

Chapter-a-Day

Illusion of Possession

November 21, 2023 Tom Vander Well 1 Comment

They will not remain in the Lord’s land;
Ephraim will return to Egypt
and eat unclean food in Assyria.
Hosea 9:3 (NIV)

I was the youngest of four children. I’m grateful to say that we were never in need as children. That said, there wasn’t a lot of extra from an affluence perspective. Early on, I developed a behavioral pattern with both money and things. I developed a possessive attitude towards “my stuff.” I also tended to spend any money I acquired as quickly as possible on things that provided immediate pleasure but had little long-term value.

Over a lifetime as a disciple of Jesus, I’ve gone through major transformation in my thoughts and behaviors towards both money and things. It’s impossible for me to be obedient to Jesus’ teachings and not address matters of money and things. Jesus spoke more about money and treasure than almost anything else.

One of the things that has slowly transformed my thoughts and behaviors is the realization that nothing I have is really mine. The Great Story reveals Jesus as the “Alpha and Omega.” He is the “alpha-point” through whom creation flows. He is the “omega-point” to whom all things return. All that I am blessed to have on this earthly journey is ultimately from the Alpha, and ultimately it will return to the Omega. The question is simply how I will steward those things with which I have been blessed by God to have on loan on this brief earthly sojourn? Will I be generous or miserly? Will I treasure the possession or treasure the people with whom I can bless with it? Will I greedily hoard in the illusion it’s mine, or will I participate with the Alpha in the generous, life-giving flow of all things?

In today’s chapter, the ancient prophet Hosea makes a rather stunning statement about his people: “They will not remain in the Lord’s land.” The Great Story clearly states that the land of Canaan was intended to be given as a blessing to Abraham’s descendants so that “all of the nations of the earth will be blessed.” The source was God. The intention was a life-giving flow of blessing to all nations from a people who understood the source and their place in the flow of the life and blessing. Part of that understanding was that the land was ultimately God’s.

Since the latest war about this land broke out just weeks ago, Wendy and I have been doing a lot of reading and listening regarding both sides’ “claim” to this land. Those claims both reference Abraham. The Jewish people trace their lineage and history in the land back to Abraham through Abraham’s son, Isaac. The Arab muslims trace their lineage and claims to the land back to Abraham through his son, Ishmael (Osama Bin Laden references this belief in his “Letter to America”). I can’t help but mourn the fact that what God meant to be a blessing to all nations continues to be warped by evil, and the evil angels of our nature, into a fratricidal conflict of peoples that has raged for thousands of years.

In some ways, this is not unique. I have witnessed the same types of destructive conflict over family farms here in Iowa. The same deep seeded hatred between siblings. The same lust to possess the land at all cost giving birth to generations of greed, hatred, anger, rage, and even violence. Such toxic and spiritually suicidal thoughts and actions just for the illusion that one can actually possess something that flowed from the Alpha and will flow back to the Omega.

In the quiet this morning, I find myself bringing thoughts of international politics and diplomacy back down to a personal level. There is little I can practically do about the circumstances and situation that continue to rage in the Lord’s land as they have for thousands of years. King David wrote in his lyrics to Psalm 122 to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” I will continue to do so.

What I can do, however, is continue to personally learn and apply the spiritual lessons Jesus continues to teach me. All that I supposedly and physically possess on this earthly journey, including land, is illusory from the eternal perspective of the Kingdom of God. The more I spiritually, emotionally, and physically cling to earthly possessions that will rot or pass on to be possessed by others, the less room there is in my mind, heart, and spirit for the eternal things of God’s Spirit.

The further I get in my spiritual journey, the more I embrace the spiritual reality that “my stuff” is actually all “God’s stuff.” I don’t possess things but rather steward blessings. I’m not to cling or horde but to release and let flow. I confess I’m not perfect, but I am growing.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

Chapter-a-Day

The Source and the Purpose

September 15, 2022 Tom Vander Well 2 Comments

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”
1 Samuel 30:23-24 (NIV)

This past Sunday afternoon, Wendy and I were blessed to help host over 100 people for a backyard cookout along with one of our backyard neighbors. We grilled up a bunch of burgers and dogs and people brought sides and desserts to share.

Last night our home was invaded by about twenty or so high school sophomores and their three adult leaders. A few weeks ago we were asked if the young people could meet at our house on Wednesday nights during this school year. There was never really any question. We’re glad to have them. Wendy and I stuck around for a bit to be introduced to the kids before we sequestered ourselves. Wendy and I have talked about making Wednesday night a date night with some friends who have also volunteered their house for the Wednesday night youth gatherings.

In today’s chapter, David and his men return to their sanctuary town in Philistine territory having been told to do so by King Achish in yesterday’s chapter. While they were off mustering for battle a raiding party of Amalekites swept through, plundered their town, and burned it to the ground. The Amalekites also took all of their wives and children as captives. The first thing David does is consult the priest, Abiathar, to inquire of God whether they should pursue the raiding party. David is given the green light.

While they are in hot pursuit, about 200 of David’s 600 men become weary and choose to stay behind. The remaining 400 overtake the Amalekites, defeat them and return with everyone’s women, children, and all the plunder the Amalekites had taken on their raids.

At this point, the 400 men who completed the defeat of the Amalekites argue with David that the 200 men who stayed behind should not receive any of the plunder since they didn’t participate in the battle. David’s response is swift and strong. The victory, David says, belongs to the Lord, not to their military prowess. The plunder, therefore, is a gift from God and it is to be shared by everyone. David calls his men to think about their Level Three circumstances with a Level Four perspective.

Along my spiritual journey, I have slowly come to embrace the spiritual reality that everything I have belongs to God. Everything in my “possession” will be abandoned and left behind when this journey is over. Jesus is the Alpha point from which all good things flow and all the good things that have flowed into my life. Jesus is the Omega point to which all good things, including all the good things in my life, will ultimately return. I’m not an owner. I’m a steward. The belief that anything I have is really mine is an illusion.

This is why there was never really any question that Wendy and I would allow our home to be invaded every Wednesday night by a bunch of teenagers. We are so blessed with our house. It’s exceeding, abundantly, beyond what we could have once imagined. The story of building it is a God story that leaves us with no doubt that we were supposed to build it, that we were supposed to use it generously, and with it, we were to practice hospitality. It was built to be used, lived in, and shared.

This morning, in the quiet, I’m thankful for all of the blessings I enjoy including my wonderful home office where I sit and type these words, but I’m also thankful for learning to have perspective about the source of the blessing and what we are to do with it.

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.

Chapter-a-Day

New Layers of Perception

February 28, 2022 Tom Vander Well Leave a comment

…in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
Hebrews 1:2 (NIV)

I woke this morning remembering that it was time to choose which book in the Great Story to trek through on this chapter-a-day journey. There has never been much rhyme or reason to where the journey goes next. At this point, I believe every book has been blogged through at least twice with many having been revisited four or five times.

So why keep going?

When Jesus was tempted by the Prince of this World, He compared the Great Story to spiritual bread. It is basic nutrients. It is sustenance. It is a foundational, life-giving staple. When Moses commissions Joshua to be his successor as leader of the Hebrew people, he tells Joshua, “Always keep this book of the Law [the only written pieces of the Great Story at that time] on your lips; meditate on it day and night, and be careful to do everything written in it.”

That was the first verse I ever memorized. It launched my perpetual reading, meditation, and study, and it has never gotten old. In fact, it only gets deeper and more fascinating for me. Why?

First, because every time I trek through a book again I am at a different place on the journey. My perspective from this waypoint in the journey changes what I see, hear, and receive in spiritual nutrients and sustenance. It’s like going back to a favorite restaurant and having your favorite meal off the menu after not having tasted and experienced it in years. It is the same meal, but you experience it differently.

Second, with every step of my life journey, I acquire new information, inputs, and experiences which lead to greater insight into the stories, episodes, lyrics, and poems as well as the Great Story as a whole. Metaphor is layered with meaning, and the more experiences I have in life the more I see layered in the Message, and the more connections I make the text, both to other pieces of the Great Story and to other pieces of my life.

Third, I have found it to be exactly what Jesus said it was: foundational, life-giving, spiritual staple. It centers me at the beginning of the day. It informs my thoughts and meditations for the day. It reminds me how to think, speak, act, relate, and live this day. It often gives me an encouragement to inspire, a promise on which to cling, or an affirmation to comfort.

And so, a quick perusal of the latest chapter-a-day treks by book revealed to me only a couple of books missing from the list referred to as New Testament books. The first one I noticed missing was Hebrews. So, here we go…

Since the last time I’ve made the chapter-a-day trek through Hebrews, my dear friend sent me a personal essay about Pierre de Chardin that has greatly inspired me to learn more about this 20th century Jesuit priest, mystic, and scientist. His writings were banned, his teaching was censored, and he was silenced by the institutional Catholic church. History teaches me that this is always a credible sign that he was on to something true. In particular, Chardin’s thinking around “the Omega point” had a huge influence on both the worlds of science and art in the 20th century. In short, “the Omega point” theorizes that everything in the universe is connected, and just as the entire universe sprang from the explosion of a tiny point of matter (I guess that’s the Alpha point), so it will eventually collapse and return to a tiny point of matter: the Omega point.

As I launched into the first chapter of the epistle to the Hebrews this morning I only had to get to the second verse before I ran into something I’ve never seen in my reading of this text before.

“...in these last days [God] has spoken to us by his Son [Jesus] whom he appointed heir of all things...

The heir receives the inheritance. If Jesus is the heir of all things then all things eventually return to Him. He is the “Omega Point.”

and through whom also he made the universe.“

Jesus was also the “Alpha Point.” And, the author of Hebrews goes on to state in the next verse, Jesus is “sustains all things.” In this letter to the followers of Jesus in Colossae, Paul states that in Jesus “all things hold together.” Therefore, I am reminded this morning that Jesus is the “Alpha Point” from which all things spring, the “Omega Point” to which all things return, and also what science ironically refers to as “dark matter” which holds everything together.

So, what does this have to do with my day today?

My meditation on Jesus being the “heir of all things” leads me to conclude that nothing I think I own or possess is truly mine. I will die and it will be passed onto others (who will also die) and/or it will erode, decay, or be destroyed to eventually flow back to the Omega Point. Makes sense, then why Jesus would tell His followers not to worry about, or invest in, the things of this world. He sees the bigger picture. He’s looking in context of the Great Story in which all of creation Jesus “will roll up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed.” And, if Jesus is the sustainer holding all of creation together, then how ever-present and accessible He is. He’s holding me together in ways I never consider.

In the quiet this morning, I head into my day considering everything in my temporal life in the context of a much larger reality. This is what I find Jesus constantly teaching His followers: “Break out of the crimped tunnel vision of this human existence. Learn to see as I see! Step back and see in the context of Alpha and Omega, inter-connectedness and omnipresent sustaining. Then you will see each day, each moment, each interaction with hope and possibility!”

If you know anyone who might be encouraged by today’s post, please share.