Listen

I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Revelation 21:3-6a

Think

Our society is pretty good at identifying who are the “alphas” among us and around us. Celebrities, “influencers,” pundits—they each have a way of shaping how we think of ourselves in relation to others, sometimes despite our own preferences or against our own better judgment. At times we don’t even notice ourselves being swayed toward the prevailing views of these “alphas,” since their influence can be both subtle and pervasive.

Jesus says he is the Alpha and the Omega, both the beginning and the end. Not only is he the source of all that we are (and all we have been created to be), but he is also the desired destination of our life’s journey. He can be a prototype and role model for our faith-filled life, as well as the aim and objective of that life. Guided by his influence, shaped by his way of being in the world, we can trust that God dwells with us, making the dream of “all things new” a reality.

Peter Hanson

Question to Ponder:

Who would you say are the biggest influences on your life?

Pray

Thank you, Jesus, for being a starting point, a pathway, and a destination for my faith.

Amen.

Go

As God’s beloved, you are invited to share in God’s dream for the future, full of happiness and hope, justice and joy. God’s dream is already coming true!