Careless Words

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.”
Matthew 12:36 (NIV)

Have you ever caught yourself (like I have) saying these words?

“Wish me luck!”

“Good luck with that!”

“What a lucky break!”

“Maybe if I’m lucky!”

I have been having a running conversation with my youngest daughter about why those words are never appropriate for someone who believes in the One who calls Himself El Shaddai (Almighty One). Girlfriends, if we have asked Jesus Christ to become our Savior, luck plays no part in our lives. Our lives are not a toss-up, a game of russian roulette, or a roll of the dice. Our hope is not built on sinking sand, but on the One who is the Rock of our salvation. No evil one or thing can touch us without His permission. He isn’t some dozing grandfather sitting on His throne nodding off when something horrible happens in our lives. This is a taste of who is in control at all times:

“The nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain.” Psalm 2:1 (NIV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Ephesians 1:11 (NLT)

“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past! See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

   “For your sake we face death all day long; 
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:34-39 (NIV)

Let’s start living like we really believe this! Let’s not talk like those who have only hope for this life. We belong to the One whose very breath will blow away His enemies one day. Luck has no part of those who have made Jesus Christ their Savior. Instead of calling it luck when good things happen to us, let’s recognize those things as the blessing from the Lord that they are and be grateful enough to call them that.

Jesus, there is no such thing as luck with You. What a comfort to my anxious heart because You love with a love that is everlasting and always has our best interests at its core. Nothing is going to happen to me today that You are not fully aware of and capable to giving me the grace to handle.