Have you ever pondered about your Horrorscope… sorry, Horoscope?
Even before I became a Christian, I was always cynical about horoscopes. It just didn’t make sense to me that anyone could take them serious.
My logic was this: If Australia’s population was, at that time, 12 Million people (we are now 21 Million +) and if on average were born evenly over a 12 month period, then 1 Million people would have a birthday in each month. I’m sure that out of 1 Million people, someone would have to fulfil the predictions that was given in any particular horoscope.
They are so generic, and written in such a way, that anyone could easily accept it is for them. For example, today, all the Aries people will accept “The new moon is likely to open up new opportunities; new ventures; and even make new contacts. It is certainly not a bad time to contemplate your future. A burst of optimism will shape some wonderful plans that may be a little over the top, but those plans will have plenty of potential too!“… yeah, right! Look out Australia, 1 Million people are going to make new contacts and will contemplate their future today with a burst of optimism.
But wait! There’s more. What if I go to a different newspaper or website for my horoscope… oh no, it’s completely different.
It fascinates me how many people are suckered into these things. Does anyone really think someone from a third world poor country born on the exact same day and exact same time as a rich white person in a western country is going to have the same personality or good fortune or whatever is being predicted in a horoscope?!
But all this isn’t new. Paul expressed his concern for the Galatians:
Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you. Galatians 4:8-11
They were observing special days and months and seasons and years too.
The Jews followed special days like the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement (tenth day of Tishri) which had never been, and can never be, in themselves means of salvation or sanctification. They followed months and seasons such as new moons, Passover, Firstfruits and then years such as the Sabbath year. The Pharisees meticulously observed all these to gain merit before God.
The Gentiles (non Jews) followed different sun gods, moon gods and the stars too.
The bottom line is that people are simply searching for HOPE.
Personally, I find no hope from a horoscope. I do find hope from the Bible. And I definitely have hope ever present in my life, daily, monthly and yearly through an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus.
You can too.
Hope is found in knowing God intimately – this is called Salvation.
What do you hope for? And where will you seek that hope from today?