Thankful for Friday the 13th

Friday - November 13th

Day 13: Attitude of Gratitude

Scripture to Read Today: Colossians 2:13-26

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These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

Colossians 2:17

The old suspicion of the 13th floor in a tall building being bad luck is still alive and well. 85% of buildings built with Otis elevators don't have a 13th floor. You would think people on the 14th floor would know they are really on the 13th floor. Whether the 13th floor or Friday the 13th, some people believe bad luck can be directly linked to them.

I thank God for Friday, September 13th, 1985. Lesli and I were freshmen in college. We had met about two weeks before the 13th. Our very first date was on that Friday, the 13th. Yep, on the night deeply associated with bad luck by superstitious people. We dated for about four and a half years after that first date - and then were married Saturday, June 30th, 1990.

Today is Friday the 13th. I am thankful that God's Word and His Kingdom demand that the followers of Christ live by faith in Him rather than by fear of superstitions. Our God and His ways are worthy of our trust. We can believe that God has a plan He is working and that no 13th floor or Friday the 13th can change that.

In Colossians 2:16-23, Paul talks about various things associated with fables, wives' tales, and superstitions. "These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ" (Colossians 2:17). As God's children, why do we chase the shadows when we have the reality of Christ in our lives. Friday the 13th is no different than any other day. There is nothing that hovers over or haunts this specific date on the calendar.

Don't allow yourself to buy into concepts that build superstitious ideas in your heart and mind. Don't let yourself suggest such things to others. Fix your eyes on Jesus. He is the real substance of life and what will happen tomorrow.

This month, in which we focus on having a gratitude attitude, I can embrace Friday 13th as the first date Lesli and I went on 35 years ago. No bad luck or mojo happened on that day. It had its ups and downs. Our date was great - that was a major "up!"

Thank God that the truth of Christ removes any reality or truth to superstitions - such as Friday the 13th!