GOOD luck?

I got this message recently: “Dale, when I say I look for God in my happenings, people get nervous, look askance and usually walk away.  Why? Am I wrong?”  

It amazes me that those among us who most call for us to faithfully follow the Living and loving God seem shocked to imagine that someone would actually believe He does anything!!!  I once asked a class why we pray and one guy stood his ground that the only reason was because the Bible said to - I tried to get him to admit he believed it served any other purpose. I could not.  And if our prayers are what they should be - then should be ever be surprised when God shows up?  Wouldn't it make MORE sense to attribute EVERY good thing to HIM - that is what James did (James 1:17).

Are we so afraid that we might be accused of being pentecostal that we never attribute anything to Him?  I think we would do better to be fearful that we might give credit to anyone or anything else but Him for good!  James said it this way “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights...” Was that just then and not now?  Giving credit to luck, happenstance, coincidence when you could give glory and credit to the Lord! Whose disciples are we anyway: Tyche (the Greek goddess of chance), Moira (the god of fates), Buddha with his Karma or the Almighty of Heaven. I remember dad saying he didn’t believe in luck!

Or maybe it’s that in America we’ve bought the idea that when something is done it is through our own effort, ingenuity or ability.  Maybe we need to hear from Paul - “when I am weak...” His strength is highlighted in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).  We have to figure it out. As if it is up to us. Don’t think I believe we have no part but our part is as partners with God.  But the balance of the power on any matter ought to be simply obvious (some sort of good illustration like an ant claiming he made the beach would be good here - but there is no equivalent analogy).

Sometimes we need to clean our speech out. Let’s give credit to God. If we happen to be wrong I’d rather give Him credit for something He didn’t affect (is there anything He doesn’t affect) than to EVER take it away from Him when He was behind the happening!

Look for God in everything and give Him credit at every juncture. Who knows when it might open a door to lead someone to Him?