A child skips down a sidewalk, holding hands with their best friend. Together, they sing while strategically placing their footfalls:
You’ll break your mother’s back;
Step on a line
you’ll break your father’s spine.
Folklore shared that cracks were not something to trifle with because danger lurked in these empty spaces. Cracks in sidewalks, floors and soil, as well as in walls, signalled gaps in the boundaries between the earthly realm and the metaphysical realm. Sounds silly, yet in our sophisticated, modern world, 1 in 20 people, including Christian brothers and sisters, still avoid stepping on cracks.
How does one engage in superstition acts such as avoiding cracks to side-step evil? When did throwing salt over one’s shoulder, avoiding black cats, not walking under ladders, sitting in the same seat in a dressing room and so on becoming the means to escape trouble? Seeking God in troubling times is the answer to dealing with the anxiety and uncertainties offered by the world. Scripture guides us, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4: 7 NKJV).
If COVID 19 has taught us anything, it is that we live in a troubled world. Growing superstitions, conspiracies, and false information has led to an increase in mental health issues, distrust, fear and anger. During Jesus last evening before his crucifixion, he shared many comforting truths with his disciples; truths also intended to bring us reassurance that God is in control. Jesus said; I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16: 33 NIV). We must learn to respond confidently to our surroundings.
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy saying; “Here is what I want you to know. There will be terrible times in the last days. People will love themselves. They will love money. They will brag and be proud. They will tear others down. They will not obey their parents. They won’t be thankful or holy. They won’t love others. They won’t forgive others. They will tell lies about people. They will be out of control. They will be wild. They will hate what is good. They will turn against their friends. They will act without thinking. They will think they are better than others. They will love what pleases them instead of loving God. They will act as if they were serving God. But what they do will show that they have turned their backs on God’s power. Have nothing to do with these people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-6 NIRV). Sound familiar?
Many will enter 2022 with the same apprehensions we have had for the last two New Year’s. We can’t prevent 2022 from happening but we can stop how we let it affect us. Will 2022 be the year you spend more time in scripture and less on social media? Will you read and study God’s truth to find you inspiration, courage, and hope instead of turning to the world. Will you approach God humbly and say, “Lord I need you”.