I recently saw a news report that literally made me sick.  It concerned the construction of a new stadium for the New York Yankees.  It seems a construction worker (not a Yankees fan) buried in the concrete a jersey from the Yankees' biggest rival, the Boston Red Sox.  He said it was for fun but others claimed it was to put a hex on the team.  One worker learned of the deed and informed the authorities because he did not want to be responsible for a curse.  So team officials authorized the five hours of work to break up the concrete and remove the jersey, all at a cost of $50,000.

Something about this immediately bothered me...the sincere belief of some that burying a rival team's jersey would have any meaning at all.  It was as though some supernatural power could be summoned to work against this baseball team.  Such superstitions are not new and many will argue they are harmless.  But that's not true.  Each superstition is a means through which people stop looking to God.  They may be thinking "supernatural", but they're looking at created things rather than the Creator.

It reminded me of fishermen, not those who grab a rod and reel and head off for their favorite pond, but those with generations of family tied into fishing as a way of life.  Many develop "sacred" routines and traditions that must not be broken or their luck will vanish and there will be no catch.  They repeat the prayer of the sea, asking for God's mercy and safe voyage, but then quickly look to other things to "assure" them of success.

I watched the news program and thought about the many people we encounter every day who subscribe to such things.  There are far more superstitions than those of athletes and fishermen.  Tossing salt over your shoulder.  Knocking on wood.  Crossing your fingers.  Finding a four leaf clover, horseshoe, or rabbit's foot.  Avoiding Friday the 13^th, black cats, and breaking a mirror.  Which is more important...one of these or the power of God?  If it's the power of God, why even consider the superstition?  Harmless?

In rendering judgment against the Israelites, God said though Isaiah, You have abandoned your people, the house of Jacob.  They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and clasp hands with pagans.  Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures.  Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots.  Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made.  So man will be brought low and mankind humbled - do not forgive them. Isaiah 2:6-9

When we take our eyes off God and look instead to things around us, we lose sight of His vision for what's truly important in this world.  That's why the story made me so ill.  Not only did men value their superstition, spending $50,000 to remove a jersey became more important than loving one another.

People are without work.  But that was more important.  Parents struggle to provide for their children.  But that was more important.  Men and women are homeless.  But that was more important.  Children are abandoned.  But that was more important.  People are sick, alone, and hopeless.  But...  Such an act is nothing less than looking into the eyes of those in desperate need and telling them, "My money is better spent on a jackhammer, breaking up concrete to remove a worthless baseball jersey, than using even a penny of it to help you."

As I thought about this, I wondered how often we as Christians do the same.  I can take you to a church that broadcasts its services with equipment of quality shared only by NASA.  I know a ministry that built a lavish complex and provided its executive with a Rolls Royce.  I see men and women making hundreds of thousands of dollars and living in luxury.  Is it all really necessary?  Have we ignored those in need?  Have we forgotten the power of God?  I wonder...whether it's Yankee stadium or a church, a ministry's headquarters or the place we call home...what kind of house have we built?

Our Lord once said, Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27

So be it.

Take care and be God's,

Chuck

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