We do not wander aimlessly, led by fate

I see that this will be published on Friday the 13th. It made me think of one of my mother’s favorite songs from the show Hee Haw called “Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me.” It included the phrase, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”

Do you believe in bad luck? How about good luck?

How often do we say to someone “good luck,” when we really should be saying “God bless you?” The Bible has something to say about luck, or more specifically that God is guiding us through life. Not luck, or chance, or fate. Not even karma.

Romans 8:28 tells us, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” How’s that for good news! We have a purpose in this life, we are called by God. We are not wandering aimlessly, led by fate.

And James 1:17 reminds us that “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

If you have any doubt about the love and grace of our God then hear the words of St. Paul from Philippians 4:19. “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. Then when you call upon me and come and pray to me, I will hear you.” (Jeremiah 29:11-12)

A future with hope! We are not alone. God will give us what we need to face any challenge.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us of that when he told the people of God: “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31)

Friday the 13th. May God bless you this day and every day.

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