Contemplative Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 9:11 (New Living Translation)

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.

Chance. I don’t like this verse. I prepare. I work. I am ready. I am skillful. I am educated. I’m not really fast, but you get the point.

Why is all decided by chance? Come on God, give me a break, okay?

Pause and notice that this discusses SUCCESS, not happiness. A lot of practices lead to a happy life. A happy life is not necessarily a successful life. The definition of success changes with the ages. Does the same happen to happiness? I think not.

Once again, time to admit that God is God and I am not.