“Three coins in the fountain, each one seeking happiness, thrown by three hopeful lovers, which one will the fountain bless?” These lyrics from Frank Sinatra’s, “Three coins in the fountain,” came to mind recently as a woman tested the “luck” of coins in an almost catastrophic way.
An 80-year-old woman, identified only by the name, Qiu, was preparing to board a China Southern Airlines flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou. As she walked toward the plane, she tossed 9 coins in the engine turbine for “good luck.” Qiu, a Buddhist, believed that the coins would bring luck and safety to the flight.
Of course, 150 passengers were evacuated due to concerns that a coin would be sucked into the turbine. The flight was delayed 5 hours. Qiu was detained and investigated.
Still believe in luck? Many do. Horoscopes, fortune cookies, and trips to Las Vegas are proof of that! But luck doesn’t exist. Not knowing the future can seem scary. So people look for “good luck” as a way to hedge against “bad luck.”
The Bible teaches us that God is in charge, but He allows for the freewill of man and the temptations of Satan. The apparent randomness of life in a fallen world will cause us pain. There will be days when Satan seems to be winning. Yet God’s victory is assured!
God knows and declares the beginning from the end (Isaiah 46:10). Ultimately, things are worked out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). God provides (Matthew 10:29-31), even in matters appearing to be chance (Proverbs 16:33), and in events that seem bad but are for our good (Genesis 50:20). All His gifts are good (James 1:17).
God hasn’t left us to grope blindly through time. He has revealed the only future that truly matters – an eternity with or without His presence. We can know our future (1 John 5:13)!
Coins in a fountain? No. And definitely don’t throw coins in a turbine! Put those coins to better use as a steward of His blessings. And check the coin…it says, “In God we trust.”
