It is all decided by chance ...

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I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. -Ecclesiates 9:11 NLT

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So much of our lives were determined before we were born. We did not choose the country, city or family that we were born into. After birth we did not choose the level of care that our parents gave us. We all grew up in a closed environment where we were exposed to only what our parents allowed or what we experienced in our small part of the world. The concepts of self-determination and life choices would come later after our childhood programming.

It is amazing that any of us ever see past our early environments and do the things that we do as adults. It is here where I see the influence of God on my life. In contrast to the narrowness of youthful experiences I find God to be one who encourages and empowers us to escape our environmental limitations. In Christ it is written that all things are possible. In a sense it is not decided by chance at all but by our response to Christ's call to follow him.

All things are possible in you Lord Jesus. Help me to trust you to lead me today.

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