God, Heisenberg and Sub-Atomic Relationships

Most of us learn in elementary school that electrons are one of the "building blocks" of the sub-atomic world.  We even learn to draw various atoms, with electrons in orbit.  

But did you know that the relationships that exist in our crude grade-school drawings can also tell the story of a relational God, who created all things to be connected to God and to one another? 

In 1925 Werner Heisenberg devised a new theory about electrons that set the scientific community on its ear.  First, Heisenberg theorized that there is no way to predict where an electron will appear and reappear.  Scientists can only calculate the probability of where it will pop up.  

About this unpredictable nature of the sub-atomic world, physicist Carlo Rovelli wrote, "It's as if God had not designed reality with a line that was heavily scored, but just dotted it with a faint outline."  

But back to Heisenberg, who further theorized that an electron is essentially a set of observed jumps from one interaction to another, and that electrons only exist when they are interacting with something else. 

Think about it for a moment.  At the most fundamental level of Creation, things are real only when they are in relationship.  

Over 2500 years ago, the ancient Jewish prophet Isaiah conveyed God's words on this subject to the people of God this way: 

"I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand--I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth and who say to Zion, 'You are my people.'"

We become the people we are meant to be when we are in relationship as God intended--connected to others and to God through the Spirit for the purpose of creating Shalom or Peace of God on earth.  

As you journey through your day today, think about how you are created for connection to those around you, and find ways to draw closer to them in real relationship.  Give thanks to God that you are "fearfully and wonderfully made" to long for what's real and true.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and always. Amen.