By Pastor Mark Lee

Pastor Mark Lee of Vantage Point in Eastvale

For a single day this month, nearly everyone I know will be Irish.  While St. Patrick’s Day began as a religious holiday honoring the life of the man credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland, it has since become a cultural phenomenon celebrating the people, culture, and folklore of this beautiful European country.  And, from four-leaf clovers to wearing green, many of the holiday’s traditions revolve around the pursuit of good luck.

Whether or not you believe in their effectiveness, the appeal of lucky charms is understandable.  After all, who doesn’t want to be on the receiving end of good fortune?  The problem with luck, however, is that it is a philosophy based purely on chance.  Webster’s dictionary defines it as a “purposeless, unpredictable and uncontrollable force.”  In theory, when you place your faith in this ambiguous power, the outcome is never certain.  It can either be positive, or it can be negative.

Divine providence, on the other hand, is always benevolent.  Defined as “the sovereignty of God over the events in life,” divine providence is the belief that God governs creation as a loving father.   For human beings, this sovereignty may seem just as unpredictable and uncontrollable as luck.  The truth, however, is that God allows us to choose our own direction in life.  If we decide to place our faith in Him, He assures us that our needs will be met.   Even when tribulations arise that are hard to understand, solace can be found in this promise.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  With this kind of guarantee, who needs luck?

VantagePoint Church meets at Roosevelt High School on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.