Horseshoes and Faith

Rolling Hills United Methodist Church is located in horse country.  There are a number of farms with horses nearby, and some of our members are horse-owners.  So I thought it was only fitting that we play the game of Horseshoes together during our Youth Sunday school class last week:



A good time was had by all ... and there were plenty of ringers thrown (which makes me think there were some Ringers among us, if you know what I mean).

Of course, a horseshoe hung on the wall pointing upward is a traditional sign of good luck. 

That reminds me of this story that I read on Bible.org:

An American scientist once visited the offices of the great Nobel-prize-winning physicist, Niels Bohr, in Copenhagen. He was amazed to find that over Bohr’s desk was a horseshoe, securely mailed to the wall, with the open end up in the approved manner (so it would catch the good luck and not let it spill out).

The American said with a nervous laugh, “Surely you don’t believe the horseshoe will bring you good luck, do you, Professor Bohr? After all, as a scientist …”

Bohr chuckled, “I believe no such thing, my good friend. Not at all. I am scarcely likely to believe in such foolish nonsense. However, I am told that a horseshoe will bring you good luck whether you believe in it or not.”

Bits & Pieces, September 17, 1992, p. 6

Niels Bohr was smart enough to know that he didn't know everything.  Just because he believed something to be false didn't make it false.  Truth doesn't depend on our believing it to be true.  Truth is truth, whether we believe it or not.  God is God, whether we believe in God or not. 

Jesus told his disciples that he is "the way and the truth and the life[.]"  John 14:6 (TNIV).  What does Jesus mean when he calls himself the truth? 

The truth is: God loves you, and Jesus is God's love in the flesh! 

The truth is: God will not abandon you, and Jesus is called "Immanuel" (which means "God is with us").

So remember this Good News:  Jesus is the truth, whether you (or others around you) believe it or not!