"LUCK" OF THE DRAW

“Looks like we have a winner here, folks!” the carnival worker announced to no one in particular, as I handed him the dripping plastic duck marked black on its underside.

The odds were pretty good at the very first booth that drew me in - five ducks for a quarter, guaranteed a penny prize.

I was motioned to step aside for the next lucky contestant in line, quickly choosing a trinket off the bottom shelf. Holding the adjustable diamond ring tight in my hand, I carefully circled back through the crowd to stand and wait again for another chance to try my luck. 

Daddy stood by that day, patiently waiting to accompany me past the entrance and into the sights and sounds of the real adventure calling, but I was hooked on an easy game.

I still find myself there sometimes, letting go of God’s hand to run after painless pickings. I prefer to trust my own “luck” at life, rather than submit myself to His expert guided tour.

I am drawn to sure, smooth pleasures that line up and bob lazily through my soul-one size fits all-guaranteed temporary satisfaction that stains my fingers.

Admittedly it’s a rigged system, designed to keep the masses lined up around the corner, draining us all of our change, when just a few steps away lies the incomparable sure prize of a life lived with Jesus.

But there is a loneliness that comes over God’s children when they wander - a sudden awareness of Who brought us here and what He has promised to show us.

It’s the inevitable pull between a sure, cheap bet and a chance of a lifetime.

Unable to move forward, I panic and look over my shoulder to find my Father God. Perhaps, He has already gone on without me? 

But of course, I always see Him. He’s still there, waiting.

He’s waiting, because He came here for me.

And there’s no luck involved when I finally take His hand and let Him lead me into the greatest show on earth.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 esv