I don’t believe in luck; it demands the existence of chance. Chance operates without God. Chance is a blind, uncaring force, which is why I can’t accept it. I am not the only one that shares that opinion of chance, Christians and non-Christians agree on that definition. That can lead to trouble when the subject of casting lots comes up.

I think many people think of dice when they think of lots. I have that image at times, but I know that lots didn’t work like that. God used lots to show His will in a decision that had to be made. Lots are found mainly in the Old Testament, but soldiers also cast lots for a piece of clothing that Jesus wore. Lots can cause some people to get confused about seeking God’s will, and they can provide a way for some to stir up trouble. If people cast lots, that means there is another force in the universe, besides God, that has a say in how things are run.

Personally, I wonder what it was like to cast lots. The priests in ancient Israel used the Urim and Thummin, 2 stones that they wore as part of their priestly garments. These were used to seek God’s will in big decisions. I wonder about it because I see it as a simple way to know what God wants. I think I’m oversimplifying in my head, though. Picture being able to go to someone who would cast lots to see if you should take the new job or not. Then picture the street corner lot casters that would start charging fees with a “guarantee” that you’d get a favorable answer. Once that image comes around, I am glad that lots are not used now. It still confounds me how we can distort and twist God’s good things to try and profit from them.

Still, it would be nice to be able to easily know God’s will for our lives. But, having to work for something, and be improved because of the work, benefits us more. I am not referring to working to be saved, that is by grace through faith only, I mean having the flab stripped away through spiritual exercise.