"Good Luck Charms"

“Good Luck Charms”

 

On September 13, 1964 Vonda Kay Van Dyke of Phoenix, AZ was crowned “Miss America 1965”. She was a strong Christian so when the emcee, Bert Parks, asked her an unrehearsed question as part of the competition he made reference to her carrying her Bible as a “good luck charm”. I vividly remember the first two sentences of her response: “I don’t consider my Bible a “good luck charm”. I consider it the most important book I own.” She went on to fulfill her role with dignity and grace.

Many people today rely on “good luck charms” to carry them day by day and cope with their many superstitions. Some have objects like a rabbit’s foot, step over cracks on sidewalks and avoid the number 13. (Interestingly there’s no Deck 13 on the cruise ships we’ve been on but the Empire State Building has a 13^th floor.) Athletes might wear the same socks while on a roll of some kind (hold your nose), construction workers refuse to walk under ladders and gardeners rejoice over finding a four leaf clover. God told His people not to “…be terrified by signs in the sky….” (Jeremiah 10:2)—I understand this to mean not to be taken in by superstitions which have no basis biblically or logically. In addition, He gave many admonitions not to be involved in occult practices (“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists….”—Leviticus 19:31).

Despite these warnings God’s people fell into the “good luck charm” trap. In 1 Samuel 4 we’re told that the Israelites brought the Ark of the Lord to battle against the Philistines in the belief that it would bring victory. Not only was Israel defeated but the Ark fell into the enemy’s hands. Only when they turned away from superstition and trusted in God instead of the Ark did they experience His deliverance.

We must be careful not to use the Bible or any other object or symbol as some kind of a “good luck charm”, aka “Get out of jail free” card. An old hymn contains the line, “Show me the truth concealed with Thy Word”, which “…is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). Trust the God of truth and of His Word which never fail.

 

Grace and Blessings!

                                                                       Jim McMillan