Please Pass The Salt
Are you superstitious? There are some people who, whenever they spill salt
at the table, are careful to throw some over their shoulder to keep off bad
luck. For the same reason others do not walk under ladders (although this
may have a practical application), do not start journeys on Friday the
13th, look for their future in tea leaves or on the palm of a hand. My
aunt, whenever she ventured into the country, searched eagerly for a black
and white cow lest some disaster should overtake her. As a child I can
remember that it was considered bad luck to step on the lines between
paving stones. Today, many rely on fortune telling or astrology star
guides to plan, not only their day, but their whole future.
This latter group obviously take these predictions seriously, but the
mildly superstitious – the throwing salt, Friday the 13th, black and white
cow variety – perform these little idiotic acts not really believing that
they have any foundation in truth. If it s all in fun then there is no
harm done. And that s the point. If they take it even half seriously and
are careful never to do any of these «unlucky things, then I would have to
wonder what kind of God they believe in.
I would have no faith in a God who, because I spilled some salt, would send
upon me some dreadful trouble. Or would bring disaster upon me because I
failed to spot a black and white cow in time or started a journey on Friday
13th. That kind of fear is not of my God. But we are told to fear God,
fear Him but not to be afraid of Him. Is there a difference? Moses said
to the people, ¬Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the
fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning. ® (Exodus 20:20).
Throughout the Bible we find this phrase, ¬Do not be afraid. ® God isn t
trying to scare us. As we are tested in life he is showing us his mighty
power as the true God so that we will obey him. If we will do this, he will
make his power available to us. The ¬fear ® that God talks about is a fear
to sin and that is how we are to fear God, to fear lest we grieve him by
our wrong doing.
It is a sad commentary of life that so many people who are searching for
true meaning are led, not to a loving heavenly Father, but instead to the
occult, psychics and fortune tellers. Our weekly magazines and daily
tabloids feed this void in their lives. As salt spillers, Friday
travellers and line-steppers ad nauseam we have a responsibility to present
the beautiful alternative.
Have a good week – God loves you and takes care of you. Pastor Ron.
Optional Bible reading: Isaiah 47:1-15.
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its
fourth year, originating from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania,
Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To
subscribe email <> with the words ‘subscribe word’ (or)
‘subscribe word and study’ Enquire about our weekly e-mail newsletter for
young people. Our ministry is free and mailing lists are confidential.
Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15)
An e-mail from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Discussion
No comments for “Superstitions”