Enjoy the Day! - Pt 6

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord. (Proverbs 16:33 ESV).

I must confess that there was a day when I loved fast cars. When I was a senior in high school I had a ’67 SS396 Chevelle, much like the one pictured. I did take it to the Houston International Drag Raceway a time or two, though most of my races were done on a lonely stretch of backroads with lots of friends watching as at least two of us entered into the completion for the fastest car. Mine was fast. It could easily manage 125 mph in a ¼ mile. And it would smoke the tires! I was as careful as I thought necessary. I always wore a seat belt, tightly fastened; and, I had a St. Christopher medallion on the dash! Can I say that neither of those “protected” me from an accident? I would have done much better to observe the speed limits of the road! The human tendency toward superstition is strong. We can all lean toward spiritualizing objects, behaviors, and beliefs without a concern for the person and will of God. We love our superstitions and the talismans that seem to protect us from the things we fear most. As followers of Christ, we aren’t immune to superstitions and talismans. We can turn anything into pious superstition, even church attendance and participation. If I just show up Sunday morning or join the right ministry team, God will bless my life. Others might even join the church’s leadership, hoping that being a professional Christian will better ensure the blessings of God. None of these activities is bad. In fact, they’re quite excellent and beneficial, unless they’re approached as acts of pious superstition. The truth is that the provenance of God trumps “luck” every time. From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God is in control of all of His creation and is somehow able to take the random acts of natural law, the free will of both good and evil men, and the wicked intent of demons and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will (cf. Genesis 50:20; Job chapters 1 and 42; and John 9:1-7). And Christians, specifically, are given the promise that God works all things, whether seemingly good or bad, together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (cf. Romans 8:28). So, joy comes from trusting the Lord’s direction. Not our effort or some “lucky charm.” Lucky charms may be a great breakfast cereal, but they are a terrible way to create and maintain joy in your life!