Accidents And Adversaries!

August 23, 2018

I don’t believe much in luck. Most all of the good things that have come my way have been the result of lots of hard work or an undeserved and unimaginable download of Jesus’ blessings.

I have witnessed the intervention of the Holy Spirit, the healing of Jesus, and the unexpected provision of the Lord God. But, to see the good things in life as luck; well, not so much! At the same time, to see the difficult things in life as “bad” luck does not make much sense either.

I also hesitate to understand what is happening to me as part of some great, and maybe even Divine, plan. I know many Christ-followers do. Maybe that works for most folks. But, it does not seem to work very well for me.

I just struggle to believe that every decision and every experience as well as all of my tomorrow has already been determined. Even if God is the grand designer of my day and my decisions and my destiny, I wonder where my ever-changing perspectives, possibilities, and prayers come into play.

I remember the story of Abraham pleading with the Lord God to change His plan for two cities in the Middle East (See Genesis 18). The Lord’s plan, already firmly set, is to burn the cities to the ground and kill all the people who live there. It sounds harsh, but that’s God’s plan.

It is interesting that Abraham negotiates with the Lord God for a change in the Divine plan for these people. It takes some rather sophisticated negotiating by Abraham, but the Lord God does change His plan.

Following the negotiation, the Lord’s plan is that those who turn their hearts to the Lord will be spared! Maybe the Lord’s plan is not as hard-set as we really believe.

I just don’t know about believing it is Jesus who causes a new born infant to die, or the mother of a young child to be killed by a drunk driver, or a beloved son to die of an overdose, or a parent to commit suicide, or a farmer’s crops to be destroyed by hail. But, many Christ-followers do so believe.

I believe there are choices and consequences. I believe there are accidents and disasters. I believe there are laws of nature and principles of God. And, I believe the power of darkness is at work. I believe there is an “Adversary” and I believe there are accidents.

But, I don’t believe much in luck. I don’t believe much in a set-in-stone plan for our lives. I do believe in the power of prayer, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in a great and generous Lord, and that Jesus has me by the hand.

For me, life has more mystery than certainty. So, I pray often, I work hard, and I seek the Spirit’s guidance. I approach each day as a new adventure filled with opportunities and possibilities I cannot even imagine.

I am going to do my best to consult Jesus in each choice and praise Jesus in each day.