THE LUCK CULT -- Devotional for February 13, from "Good Seeds"

We toss the coin, but the Lord controls its decision; we throw the dice, but God decides how they fall; make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say. (Proverbs 16:33, LB, NLT, TM).

“Good luck!” This is a phrase of well-wishing used between friends – but does it have a place in the conversation of Christians? The Bible introduces to us a God who not only created all worlds, but orders all events. When men reject this God, they lose all sense of direction, relinquishing the only dependable guidance system they have for their drive down the highway of life. They turn instead to other sources, or as often as not, choose to “drive blind.” When they hear the gospel of salvation, requiring them to confess sin and turn to the Savior, they all too often turn away instead, saying, “Thanks, but I’ll take my chances on my own!” The god of this world enjoys his many aka’s, one of which is “Blind Chance.” Not only does this god get the glory for the formation of the universe, but also is credited with the ebb and flow of history, including the ups and downs of the everyday lives of everyday people. They reject FATHER GOD, turning instead to LADY LUCK, to take away their pains and provide their pleasures. She is the goddess worshiped by millions in this seemingly harmless but actually soul-destroying false religion called “Chance.” Even the most sophisticated civilizations have their many expressions of worship in the Luck Cult. At this writing it is Friday the 13th, a day deemed by millions to be a harbinger of bad karma. “If I can just get through today without pain or loss, I’ll consider myself lucky indeed!” So goes the thinking. Though most people realize the importance of honest work in the making of a living, how many of them wouldn’t hesitate to shake hands with a “one-armed bandit,” or lay some of their hard earned money down for a turn of the wheel of fortune at a nearby casino…or maybe just “invest” a few bucks on an even more conveniently available lottery ticket (no wonder they’re called “convenience stores!). This religion is rooted in the philosophy of dualism, whose gospel was spread far and wide by the popular Star Wars movies. In them an impersonal deity called “THE FORCE” is presented as the ultimate power of the universe, energizing all its circumstances and motivating all its creatures, for good or for ill. Its good and evil sides are equal in power, but take turns in the roles of dominance and submission. The only thing that is eternal in this religion is the never ending struggle between the two sides. Followers of this way of thinking find themselves caught up in wonder and worry about their own good or bad fortune. Aren’t you glad none of this is true, that God’s in charge of me and you; that nothing is left to chance, but rather all transpires according to His benevolent plan, and that the struggle between good and evil will someday come to an end, and our Good God – not good luck – will win…and we who choose Him, will win with Him!