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Time and Chance

What sets some apart from others? Why do some become successful while others chase success? Could luck be the bottom denominator or could some other factor be in play? If luck is only factor in play, is it worth our while to try to do anything? If everything is predestined, does it even matter?

The Book of Ecclesiastes records thoughts on this topic.

Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Some who read this verse come away with an idea that what happens to us in life is a series of random events. There are many parts of our life over which we have no control. Let's consider circumstances that we encounter at birth. We have no control over who our parents are. We have no control what our parents do for a living or what our financial status is. We have no control over where we are born, or the time of our birth. Some, who are born in the best of circumstances, die in the worst of circumstances, and some who are born in the worst of circumstances die in the best of circumstances. Is this a product of randomness, or could something else be in play?

God's will is in play. If we seek to do something against God's will, we probably will not have the Lord's blessing. In cases like this God may choose not to intervene, and leave the result to our own ability or to chance or God may choose to intervene as it fits within his will. If we are close to God throughout our life, prayer and meditation about important decisions are consistent parts of our decisions. The close we are to the Lord, the more likely we will seek to do God's will. And sometimes God's will may not be discernable until after a decision is required.

Proverbs 21:31
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

This verse shows that it is important to make plans and set goals. Whether or not the plan is successful or the goal achieved depends on the will and blessing of God. If God absolutely wants something to happen, it will happen, and if God absolutely doesn't want something to happen, it won't happen. As we make decisions, it is important that we ask for guidance from God so that we make the best decision.

In life we have to make decisions, and many times of the multiple choices available to us, all look like good choices with varying results. Sometimes the choices are evenly split with one obvious good choice and the other obvious bad choice. Given the right set of circumstances, any decision can be hard to make. In life we have to come to a point where while we desire something different for ourselves, we must be content with what life has given us.

Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Being content with what we presently have is not a license to be lazy, nor does this exclude us from planning for a better tomorrow. Being content helps us to accept the time and chance that life does give us. Often, what prevents better tomorrows is laziness, and what makes better tomorrows is hard work. Consider these verses.

Proverbs 26:13
The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

Proverbs 6:6
Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 20:4
The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

In life we have all known successful people and those who chase success. All of these people had no control over certain circumstances in their lives yet either became successful or have not yet reached that point in their life. We cannot blame randomness for our success or failure. Often our success or failure is tied to laziness or diligence. For Christians, the wild card is God's will, and we know that with boldness that if what we seek is according to God's will, with God's blessing we will be successful.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

All verses are from the King James Version.
This site provided by Tom Laign. To all who may believe differently, I also extend peace and love.
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