Regarding the reality of luck, I am reminded of King Solomon's wise and very prescient quip, which he penned at the end of a hard and rowdy life:
"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." (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
Time (eth) is first mentioned in Genesis 24, in which Abraham sent his servant to find a bride for his son Isaac. Not chalking up his fortunate find to chance or luck. Here is an excerpt of the account:
"And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
"And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time (eth) of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
"And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
"Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
"And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master." (Genesis 24: 10 -15)
Abraham's servant prayed for favor, to end up in the right place at the right time to find Isaac's bride -- and God answered his prayer. Young people today, among adults who have struggled years previous, need this favor, that will guide them through life's challenges.
Rather than looking to themselves, their parents, their customs, or their communities, they can rely on the knowledge of the Holy Spirit:
"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
"Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14: 16-17)
Many youth, upon leaving home and facing the prospects of a daunting world with little preparation, crave security and acceptance more than anything. Our identity rests on shifting ground without the knowledge that we are safely with Someone. We have this through Christ:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself." (Ephesians 1: 3-9)
Young people seek resources ("blessed with all spiritual blessings") unconditional love and meaning ("he hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world," to be "holy and without blame before Him in love").
Young people want a place of permanence to retreat and be secure (having predestinated us into the adoption of children")
We all seek acceptance, which God grants to us completely through Christ ("accepted in the Beloved")
Young people want wisdom and caution to help them navigate in a deceptive and disappointing world ("he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence)
Above all, young people want to know and believe that their lives count for something, that they are not mere accidents in a harsh and arbitrary world:
"Having made known to us the mystery of his will," . . "which he hath purposed in himself")
Jesus promised these desperately craved realities to those who believe on Him through His Holy Spirit:
"These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14: 25-26)
We do not need luck to make it in an unlucky world. We need forgiveness, grace, and righteousness, all of which are imparted from God the Father by the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, by whose obedience we may receive the Holy Spirit to live and have His being in our lives, that we may have life and that more abundantly!
Not depending on luck or some ephemeral and impersonal force, the servant of Abraham calls out to the Lord, who at found himself at the right place at the right time to find Rebecca, Isaac's future bride.
Youth today need to believe more, they need to believe in a God who exists and rewards those who diligently seek (desire) Him. Then the world would not be so scarely a place.
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