Luck O' the Irish!

We have all heard at one time or another, the old adage: “The luck of the Irish!”

A rather bold pronouncement widely known throughout the decades that brings to mind images of tiny green men, rainbows with pots of gold, and of course the lucky shamrock.

Most of us have to admit, that as kids we spent many a sunny afternoon ankle-deep in clover patches in search of that very special four-leafed blossom. Not an easy task, considering that there are approximately 10,000 three-leafer’s to every “one” four-leafed clover.

As children, our lack of statistical knowledge never got in the way of us blissfully forging ahead, undaunted, and undeterred in our efforts to find just one. We knew full well that once we found it, we would forever have that magical luck o’ the Irish. Like a treasured keepsake, we would ever so carefully wrap it up in clear cellophane and place it between the pages of our family Bible for safekeeping.

So, the question must be asked, “Is it really true, that the Irish are blessed with luck?" Let’s look at a little Irish history.

St. Patrick (who, by the way, was a native Brit), at the very young age of 16, was taken prisoner by a group of Irish raiders. One day, he found God in the rolling hills while herding sheep. He escaped and later became a Bishop. A burning desire came over him to return to Ireland and bring faith to the Pagans who still believed in the Druids. He received inspiration from God to use the three-leaf clover to explain the trinity to his flocks, (descendants of the Celts and Viking invaders) who found themselves steeped in the ancient Druid’s religion of magic, believing in many gods of nature.

The four-leafed clover, however, symbolized God’s melting the Druid beliefs with the trinity of the Christian beliefs. Irish soldiers conscripted into the British army began wearing the shamrock on their uniform lapels because they had been blessed by St. Patrick and so believed that they were on God's side and therefore safely protected by Him.

Now, hundreds of years later, we, as a nation, share that common foundation of a blessed Christian heritage. One that is based upon the clear understanding that God IS...on our side! (Psalm 124:1-2) We adhere to a steadfast faith that is NOT based upon matters of sheer luck, but rooted and grounded in the truth that God’s Sovereignty rules and reigns within a people who are called by His Great Name!

The meaning of the word “luck” is defined as: “Circumstances that lead to a favorable outcome.” But I like to call it by another name…GOD’S BLESSINGS!”

You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. The Lord will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven. The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you. (Deuteronomy 28:6-8 NIV)

Yes, it’s a wonderful privilege to be counted among the approximately 40-million Irish descendants who trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. I’m even more blessed to know that I am a royal heir to the Heavenly throne and in line to receive every spiritual blessing bestowed upon those who are called, “Sons and Daughters” of the King of Kings!

This “Irish lass” has seen the other side of the rainbow and found her ‘Pot of Gold’ and His name is Jesus Christ—the very Maker of the rainbows, the gold, the shamrocks and most of all ... the blessings of the glorious wealth of our heritage!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3 NIV)