GOOD LUCK

SHEPHERD TO SHEEP

GOOD LUCK

(Num 6:24-26) The LORD bless you and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”’

It is common when you want to wish someone well to say "good luck" to them. You want them to succeed in their pursuits and perhaps that's the best thing you can think of saying at the time. It's a nice thing to say and usually the person responds by saying "Thanks!" But is saying "good luck" the right thing to say? And why make such a big deal about a common saying in our culture anyway?

Luck is defined as "the chance happening of fortunate events." Luck includes a belief that something is out there working for people at occasional times. They don't know what that force is but they are sure glad that fortune or fate favors them when they needed it. They end up saying "Thank my lucky stars" or something like that and are just thankful things went there way.

Some people don't believe in luck at all. They are skeptical of it. "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." (Seneca, Roman dramatist) "The harder I work, the luckier I get." (Samuel Goldwyn) This category of people are the hard working type who make things happen instead of waiting for your number to come up or your ship to come in. And then there are those who side more with Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars series: "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck." This persuasion leans more towards there being a force or a cause that affects all. Like Buddhism this teaches all things which happen must have a cause, either material or spiritual, and do not occur due to luck, chance or fate. (That's ironic because belief in luck is overwhelmingly prevalent in many predominantly Buddhist Asian countries!)

But what does the Bible say about luck? You know if you really look through the pages of scripture you find the emphasis is not on luck but on God's blessings. God is in control of all events. When good things happen we call them blessings. When bad things happen we call them blessings in disguise because...(Rom 8:28) ...we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Nothing is coincidence but providence. God is good all the time and can be trusted even during the occasion of harsh or adverse events. (Job 2:10) ...Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”...

I talked to a woman in the hospital today who said she felt so blessed and who had such a peace about her circumstances. This is also knowing her mother is also in the hospital 3,000 miles away! From where does that serenity and optimism come from? (Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

I believe if you understand the grace and favor of God you will feel fortunate no matter what. You know that God loves you and is in control of all things. Whatever happens you know God is ruling His universe. You just wake up in the morning and give the Lord the day. You pray that the Lord will lead you and guide you in all aspects of that day. You know God is in charge and is managing your affairs. You expect the Lord to bless you because you are under grace and not under the law. There is no karma involved and you’re not getting paid back for anything because Jesus paid for it all on the cross.

Instead of saying “good luck” to someone why not say “The Lord bless you” because He is good all the time!

Louie