The Eight Ball

When I was growing up I had a friend who had one of those big, black "Eight Balls."  Remember them? You could ask the Eight Ball questions like "Will I hit a home run in the Little League game?" or "Will my parents ever increase my allowance?" and then turn the big, black ball over and wait for the answer.  We kids never put much stock in the answers we'd get.  But it was kind of fun to mess around with it.

There are times when a reliable "Eight Ball" could be helpful, wouldn't it? Being able to know about our health or finances or how our kids and grandkids will turn out would seem to be a benefit for us.  But there is nothing in this life - no person or thing - that can tell us the future with any certainty.

You wouldn't have found an "Eight Ball" in the apostle Paul's traveling bag.  He traveled by faith, trusting in God's presence and power to help him finish the race and complete the task given him by Jesus - "the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace."  (Acts 20:24)

How shall we then live? Paul offers a fine example for us.  He explained to the Ephesians Christians that he did not know what would happen to him as he traveled from place to place.  But he believed that the Holy Spirit would direct and help him.  He learned that he could trust God no matter where he might travel or what he might face.

Today, some people turn to a horoscope to attempt to learn about their future.  Others collect crystals with the hope that they might provide some healing power for an illness.  It seems to me that these efforts are something like seeking answers from an Eight Ball.

You and I don’t need to turn to a big, black Eight Ball for answers.  We can turn to the Scriptures.  You’ll find the assurance that God knows know what you need and will take care of you (Romans 8:32).  You’ll receive comfort that Jesus is near and will not forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).  And you can know without a doubt that your future is secure in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Paul wrote to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 13:11) that, when he was young, he spoke, thought and acted like a child.  But as he grew older, he put his childish ways behind him.  As a kid, I learned that the big, black Eight Ball was totally unreliable.  It told me I would hit a home run.  I struck out! It told me my parents would never increase my allowance.  But they did!

Isn’t it so good that we have God and His Holy Word to turn to as we go through life with its daily opportunities and challenges? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).  Good advice to follow so that you never find yourself “behind the Eight Ball!”