Some Reassembly Required

Are Ya Feelin’ Lucky?

July 7, 2007 is coming. For those who pay attention to numbers that represents a string of good luck. 7-7-7 or 7-7-07, it makes no difference how you write it, that sequence makes gamblers feel lucky. The number seven indicates a form of completion for believers. Three sevens, makes it triply so.

I wish all of those who “feel lucky” a great time. I hope they win their 20:1 bet. In every way possible I would will good fortune on their every dream. And then on 7-8-07 I would ask the question, “What now?”

There’s no harm in having fun with numbers. We’ve got to do something crazy, something spontaneous at odd times, just to feel alive - just to take the edge off of the seriousness of life. And in addition to spontaneous fun we’ve got to figure out how to live every day to its full potential. Why limit ourselves to lucky days or auspicious events? If there were a way to make every day like 7-7-07, wouldn’t it be worth checking it out?

Jesus taught his followers that this is exactly the case. No matter what happens in life, we win.

I can already hear the voices of the skeptics, “But what about . . ,” and they fill in the blank. Aids. Disease. Famine. Wars. Divorce. Child abuse. “If there were really a God then he wouldn’t let all these things happen.”

We make a grave mistake when we assume the truth about a situation from in the midst of our circumstances. Things always look dark in the middle of a storm. There is a way to see the truth about what is really going on in the world, and it is not with our eyes.

Thirteen men were in a boat out on the Sea of Galilee. A huge storm came up in the middle of the night and the boat was in danger of sinking. Twelve men feared for their lives and called out in terror to the thirteenth Man who was sleeping peacefully. The question must be asked, “Do the twelve men really understand the danger and the truth about what is going on?” The facts revealed so far would support the lethal fears of the twelve. But the Truth about the situation was asleep under the tarp. When He awoke, He stood and held His hand up in protest to the elements and they backed down. The storm stopped at Jesus’ command. So, what was the truth about their situation?

A widowed woman wept as she walked behind the funeral stretcher of her only son. With the loss of her husband, things looked bad. Now with the death of her son, her prospects for the future were dim indeed. Her every emotion searched for meaning in the midst of the catastrophic loss. What do you suppose she perceived about the truth of her situation? At that very moment, Truth was walking toward the gate of the city as her funeral procession was approaching from the opposite direction. They met, and Jesus placed His hand on the stretcher. The people stopped. Jesus took in the circumstances and searched the eyes of the distressed mother. He turned to the dead man and gave a command. The dead man sat up, and the tears of sadness streaming from his mother’s eyes changed to tears of laughter and joy.

Do you want to know why every day can be like 7-7-07 if you see the world as it really is?

Here are a few references from the Bible that can help you start your search for understanding in the midst of any circumstances you may encounter, and they clearly indicate that no matter what seems to happen before your eyes, you can never, ever really lose at anything when you truly know what is going on.

Never fear death.

“I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life.” John 5:24

A caution and a promise that lets us know how important it is to love each other.

“Our love for each other proves that we have gone from death to life. But if you don’t love each other, you are still under the power of death.” 1 John 3:14

No matter what happens to us things will always turn out good in the end.

“We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.” Romans 8:28

You need never fear loneliness again.

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

So, after the fun of July 7^th, we have something truly engaging to do on July 8^th.

Posted by Randy Knapp on Thursday, July 05, 2007 at 8:45 AM | Permalink