"Boy, you are one lucky fella." That’s what the policeman told me when he was evaluating the wreck. I had been stopped at a red light when a car ran into the back of my pickup. There was no sound of brakes and no skid marks. She hit hard enough to cave in the front of her car and deploy the airbag. It was such a violent collision that my spare tire was knocked from underneath the truck. The frame was even bent from the force of the collision. And I was not hurt. I was not even sore. I had absolutely no discomfort from the accident. The medics and police kept asking me if I was sure I was not hurt. Everyone kept talking about how lucky I was.

But my truck was totaled. I was going to have to find a new one. I worked out what I thought I could pay — how much per month and for how long. Then I began to shop around. The dealer I usually work with had a demo they were ready to sell. And in this economic climate there were a couple of other discounts available. So I figured out what I would have to receive for my totaled vehicle for the deal to work. The salesman did not think I would get what I needed. But I did. Most people would call that "dumb luck."

I would agree with both of these assessments except for one thing: I am a Christian. I often pray for God to protect me on my travels. When I began shopping for another truck, I prayed that God would help me find the right vehicle that would be reliable but keep me fiscally responsible. I believed my truck had belonged to God and I promised Him the next one would also.

Everyone operates with a world view that enables them to "make sense" of what happens in this world. Some believe in dumb luck; others call it blind fate. I believe in God. I believe God is active in this world for His people. He wants you to be one of those people. He wants you so much that He sent his Son Jesus to this earth to provide a way for you to get to Him.

So how did God work in my situation? I do not know that I completely understand. If I did, I would be God ... and I am not. But it makes more sense to me that God was at work rather than attribute all that to luck. If you would like to know more about a relationship with a God that is real and active in your world, write me at steve@hopeforlife.org and let’s talk. Or join the discussion at our blog on www.hopeforlife.org.

I do not believe in luck. I believe in God.

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