I was Lucky...er, Blessed
For some time, I have been confused by those who oppose using the word "luck." Many think it better to say "God blessed me" or "That was a blessing." (For the purposes of this discussion, I am focusing on inconsequential, pointless activities like games.) The real question is - Does anything happen by chance?
In the context that I use it, luck is "a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person." (dictionary.com) We know that some events in our world have somewhat predictable odds (based on probability and statistics) and are unlikely to occur at any given time. Some examples are:
- Winning a lottery or raffle drawing
- Rolling the exact dice number or drawing just the right card to win a game.
- A tennis ball that clips the net and rolls over to win an important point.
- Being eaten by a shark
When we enjoy good success or benefit as the result of a low probability (chance) event, we often say "Through no particular skill of mine, I profited from an unlikely event in my favor." Actually I don't know anyone who would say that - most people just say, "I was lucky" or "I had good luck." If the event was not in our favor, we had "bad luck."
From our perspective, the workings of our world sometimes produce unexpected or unlikely results. Solomon notes this:
When something odd or unusual occurs, beyond what we can control through wisdom and skill, we naturally attribute it to chance and luck.
In a general sense, every event was originally set in motion by God. In this way, I can see how the ancients believed (whether right or wrong) that casting lots was a way to discern God's will.
However, I also see that God allows his creation to exist according to the laws of nature that he created. The natural working of creation in motion can produce unpredictable results. I always have a 1 in 4 chance of drawing a "heart" from a shuffled deck of cards because that is the way God's universe works. If I did draw 5 hearts in a row, would I be lucky? Maybe, if I was playing poker. Otherwise, it is a meaningless event. Did God bless me if I get the 5 hearts? Does He care? Could God directly intervene to control the circumstance or outcome of some (meaningless) event? Of course. Does He always? I am not so sure.
I think there are some bigger questions than answers here.
To what degree is God involved in the events and actions of His creation? If the cards fall my way or the ball bounces over the net, is that always a blessing from God? If so, is it a cursing for the others who may lose something in the situation? Do I hit or stand on 17? Are all games are from the devil? Does any of this really matter?
In the context that I use it, luck is "a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person." (dictionary.com) We know that some events in our world have somewhat predictable odds (based on probability and statistics) and are unlikely to occur at any given time. Some examples are:
- Winning a lottery or raffle drawing
- Rolling the exact dice number or drawing just the right card to win a game.
- A tennis ball that clips the net and rolls over to win an important point.
- Being eaten by a shark
When we enjoy good success or benefit as the result of a low probability (chance) event, we often say "Through no particular skill of mine, I profited from an unlikely event in my favor." Actually I don't know anyone who would say that - most people just say, "I was lucky" or "I had good luck." If the event was not in our favor, we had "bad luck."
From our perspective, the workings of our world sometimes produce unexpected or unlikely results. Solomon notes this:
I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. - Ecc. 9
When something odd or unusual occurs, beyond what we can control through wisdom and skill, we naturally attribute it to chance and luck.
In a general sense, every event was originally set in motion by God. In this way, I can see how the ancients believed (whether right or wrong) that casting lots was a way to discern God's will.
However, I also see that God allows his creation to exist according to the laws of nature that he created. The natural working of creation in motion can produce unpredictable results. I always have a 1 in 4 chance of drawing a "heart" from a shuffled deck of cards because that is the way God's universe works. If I did draw 5 hearts in a row, would I be lucky? Maybe, if I was playing poker. Otherwise, it is a meaningless event. Did God bless me if I get the 5 hearts? Does He care? Could God directly intervene to control the circumstance or outcome of some (meaningless) event? Of course. Does He always? I am not so sure.
I think there are some bigger questions than answers here.
To what degree is God involved in the events and actions of His creation? If the cards fall my way or the ball bounces over the net, is that always a blessing from God? If so, is it a cursing for the others who may lose something in the situation? Do I hit or stand on 17? Are all games are from the devil? Does any of this really matter?
posted by Vijay Swamidass at
10:36 PM
2 Comments:
>>>>I also see that God allows his creation to exist according to the laws of nature that he created.<<<<
What if God is timeless (atemporal, above time, as most Theologians and Philosophers say He is)?
The decision of whether or not to sit at a card table would be your frewill choice, but wouldn't every turn of the cards be His doing?
I mean if time flows from past, to present, to future only for us, and it's all one to Him, aren't even the laws of probability nothing more the an expression of His will?
And would that mean that people who see "signs from God" in what we call coincidences are necessarily right?
Does every little thing have some meaning?
By
Anonymous, At
10:49 PM
Hi Anonymous,
Its been 5 years since I wrote this. Have to read it again...
>>And would that mean that people who see "signs from God" in what we call coincidences are necessarily right?
No. Ascribing meaning is something that people add - it isn't inherently there. For instance, imagine if someone says to themselves "Should I marry my girlfriend or not?" and flips a coin - heads = yes, tails = no.
Whatever the decision, it was a meaning imposed on the situation by the person. The heads/tails is meaningless on its own.
>>Does every little thing have some meaning?
What would the meaning be? How would one know the meaning?
>>The decision of whether or not to sit at a card table would be your frewill choice, but wouldn't every turn of the cards be His doing?
Why would there be a difference? Why are the cards His choice and your decision to sit is your choice?
I see that there is a predictable pattern (probability) to many events in creation. I think God made it that way.
-Most people who play the lottery, lose.
-Rolling snake eyes is unusual with two die.
-Getting hit twice by lightning is not common.
If an unusual event happens in our favor (whatever that means), most people call it good luck. An usual event against our favor, is bad luck.
Am I saying that there are events out of God's control?
No.
I am just saying there are things that happen which are unlikely, given the normal operation of the universe.
By
Vijay Swamidass, At
10:15 PM
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