Superstition is a lie and many have bought into the lie. I cannot tell you how very sad I get when I hear how many people are superstitious, especially in sports. If they win or have a low round, make a touchdown, or hit a home run, they give credit “to what they wore” or something ridiculous like that. They want to wear the same clothing, eat the same thing, or wear the same socks to ensure success. Michael Jordan would wear his UNC shorts under his NBA uniform in games.(google it) Wow, he thought that helped him????
To me it is modern day “idolatry”. It is crazy, just crazy to me. First, they discount all the hours and effort they have spent practicing and they discount their “God given talent”. And second and MOST importantly, they take all the credit and blessing away from God and put it on things and themselves! They literally think that what they wear or some inanimate object brings them good luck in their performance. I’ll say it again, that is just crazy to me.
Take a look at two passages with me. Both passages have lots to say about idolatry.
Deuteronomy 12:32-13:4, “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it. “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him.”
Isaiah 44:9-11 “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind;
they are ignorant, to their own shame. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit nothing? People who do that will be put to shame; such craftsmen are only human beings. Let them all come together and take their stand; they will be brought down to terror and shame.”
Every time I have a voice with a young person in sports and I hear them say, “This is my lucky shirt,” or they talk about some superstition, I speak up! I literally think they have no idea of how ridiculous it is to believe such things. It can warp their thinking and mentally take a toll on them over time. Not sure how much success I have when I speak up, but I have the satisfaction of knowing I did not remain silent on something that I feel is so misleading to them!
I so desire everyone to know and experience, Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.” I want folks to know Christ and, through knowing Christ, they can live Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will uphold your with my righteous hand.”
At last, sooemne who comes to the heart of it all