Today is St. Patrick's Day and the 2nd Sunday in Lent. So today's devotional is about "GIVING UP GOOD LUCK!" Read on below to find out how that can be a really positive thing in your life, as well as the lives of others.
Blessings,
Jan
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Today's Devotional:
"GIVING UP GOOD LUCK!"
by
Jan Andersen
Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Most people think of the color green when you mention this day, whether it be green beer, rivers and fountains dyed green, wearing green to avoid being pinched, etc. How on earth did those things ever develop from a day to celebrate a saint?! Legend has it that St. Patrick used a green shamrock with its 3 leaves per stem to explain the Trinity, three persons in one God. Hence the relationship with the color green. Also, since this date generally falls within the Lenten season during which time people give up things like alcohol, these restrictions were lifted on St. Patrick’s day. Hence the relationship with a lot of drinking on this day, including “drowning (or wetting) the shamrock” in Ireland. A shamrock is put in the bottom of a glass that is then filled with whiskey, beer or cider and then they toast to St. Patrick. When they get to the bottom, if the shamrock is still there, it is tossed over their shoulder for good luck. Certainly not what St. Patrick probably ever wanted hooked up with his name!
Believing in “good luck” may seem harmless enough. Most of us want things to go well for ourselves and our family and friends, so we wish them good luck. If something unexpectedly turns out well we may say we were lucky that it happened that way. This good fortune appears to happen by chance, unrelated to anything we’ve done. Whereas karma occurs based on intent and deeds, good karma follows those with good intentions and good actions, and so forth. At best, these practices overlook God’s activity in our lives, and at worst they are idolatry.
Instead of attributing good things happening to luck or wishing someone good luck, how about “giving up good luck” during Lent and beyond. Instead, give God the glory. When we look at our lives through the eyes of faith, we see that good and bad things can happen to everyone regardless of their actions, but not because of luck. With belief in God we know that He is with us through it all, the good, the bad and the ugly. We become aware that the things attributed to “good luck” are actually blessings by God, and we can witness about that to others. Instead of wishing someone “good luck” as they go, we can “put the name of the Lord upon them” like God told Moses to tell Aaron to do:
Numbers 6:22-27 ESV The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
“Giving up good luck” does not mean giving up good things happening in our lives or wishing others well. It simply means giving God credit for the blessings He gives us through all things in our lives. Instead of saying “Good luck!”, we can say “God’s blessings!”
Dear Lord in heaven, we thank you for all of your blessings. We even thank you for the struggles and difficulties through which you work good in our lives. Help us to remember to give you the glory for all that happens and to give up saying “good luck” to others. Instead, help us to put your name on them as a blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Song:
THE LORD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU
(LUTKIN BENEDICTION)
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The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Psalm 34:7
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Prayers are lifted up daily for you
by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff
of Women's Focus Ministries.
Blog Writers:
Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,
Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward, Karen Bennett,
Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and Corinne Mustafa
Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola, Lynda Kinnard
Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez
Occasional Contributors:
Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,
Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,
Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.
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