As Luck Would Have It

Are you the superstitious sort? Does Friday the 13th, broken mirrors, and ladders blocking your way strike terror into your heart? I guess we all have our quirks. I decided a long time ago that Friday the 13th would be a good day for me, and it usually is.

Luck is what you make of it. If we aren't careful our concept of luck will negate the role of providence in our lives, and keeps us shackled to fear. Every good gift comes from the Father above. A penny on the ground, a chance to share in the joy of others, a phone call from an friend; they all are from above. If we experience blessing, the kind hand of providence has order it so.

What about bad "luck" or hard circumstances. Surely a good God can't use bad circumstance to bless, can he? The short answer is yes. The cross is a great reminder of the harder providences of God. Sometimes, God allows hardships in our lives so that the comfort we experience before him can flow into the lives of others later on.

There is no need to fear a day or a broken mirror when you have entrusted yourself to the one who orders all things to the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes. As it has been said, "Luck favors the prepared." Providence is just favor. God bless.

Seeing Beyond a Day

Some days pounce on you like a tiger springing forth from the jungle.  They land with razor sharp claws and teeth tearing and biting.  Those days maul you without mercy, and leave your limp, mostly lifeless body in a heap.  It's hard to pick yourself up after a day like that.  It is easy to give into fear. 

Other days, blessings rain down on you with monsoon like force.  On days like this you feel invincible.  The world is wide open to you.  It feels as if every step brings you closer to seeing all of your dreams fulfilled.

However, the vast majority of our days fall somewhere in between the savage attack and the grace flood.  That is not to say that we do not experience pain and pleasure daily.  But most days we are neither ravaged by pain, nor raptured by joy.

I think Jesus warned us to take each day one at a time, because he knew that knowledge of our future would tend to make us apprehensive or arrogant.  The blessed life is not one absent of pain, but one in which God is present with us through our pain.

We are like leaves borne along by the current of God's grace.  He moves us so swiftly, so deftly that we don't often perceive his unseen hand in our circumstance.  It doesn't matter if our day holds a tiger or a treasure, God holds us in that day.  It's his presence and power that enable us to persevere.  Hold fast, dear friends.  Don't fear the tiger or love the treasure.  Set your hearts on the Treasure-Giver and the Healer of hurts.

Have Faith in God

My mind continues to return to the concept of providence. Providence is the doctrine that teaches us about God's care for his creation and his people. It speaks of his provision and care. The hymn, "Have Faith in God," reminds us of God's care.

Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely,
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of his children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God when your pray'rs are unanswered,
Your earnest plea he will never forget;
Wait on the Lord, trust his Word and be patient,
Have faith in God, he'll answer yet.

(Chorus)
Have faith in God, he's on his throne;
Have faith in God he watches o'er his own;
He cannot fail, he must prevail;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.

Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all you cares and your burdens upon him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.

Have faith in God tho all else fail about you;
Have faith in God, he provides for his own;
He cannot fail tho all kingdoms shall perish,
He rules, he reigns upon his throne.

I am comforted to know that the Reigning One is willing and able to provide for his own. May this hymn compel us to have faith in God. He is surely worthy.