GOOD AND BAD LUCK

Do you believe that luck keeps you going, or that it will be with you when you die? One definition of luck is “success or failure apparently brought by chance rather than through one's own actions.”

On the other hand, some say there is a self-help concept that accompanies “luck” and suggest that success comes from working with the most information and not just wishing.

In other words, it doesn’t matter if you believe in luck or not—it will happen regardless and “lucky” people are said to create opportunities and are optimistic, noticing and reacting to good outcomes. For them it is not just luck, but also “good fortune” and personal determination. This is different than my thinking, where I live by a conviction that God is working out his purposes in my life, according to a plan.

According to Dr. James Austin, there are four kinds of luck: “Blind Luck (random chance), Luck from Motion (generated by hustle and action), Luck from Awareness (recognizing opportunities), and Luck from Uniqueness (attracting opportunities through personal brand/skills). Moving from Type I to Type IV increases your control over favorable outcomes.”

The definitions by Austin move from chance to personal skills and seem to indicate that decision and consequent action overcome blind chance.

Our American culture values “luck” (most often to ward off misfortune) and has incorporated several idioms to reveal it our beliefs. Here are some:

• Cross your fingers—this action may have originated with thinking that crossing the fingers could resemble the Cross of Christ

• Knock on wood—doing so because there were tree spirits that needed to be awakened for protection

• Hit the jackpot—came from the use of slot machines in the 1920s and 1930s, where a jackpot was a big pile of money won from games like poker

• Find a four-leaf clover—clover leaves are usually of three leaves, so a four leaf was thought to have mysterious power to ward off evil spirits

• Blow on the dice—a symbolic gambling superstition that blowing on the dice would blow power into them and increase your chances of winning

• In the cards—associated with fortune telling and destiny—for example, good luck is associated with The Ace of Clubs for prosperity and the Ace of Hearts for love and fortune

• Third times a charm—from ancient superstitions that after two failed attempts, the third time would be successful. Sometimes it is thought to be divine, although the third time down in swimming is the last time and indicates drowning 

• How the stars align—astrological belief that special insights will follow; primarily by the movements of Jupiter for abundance and Venus for love

• Hit or miss—when aiming for a target, and you don’t know which one you will happen

• A rabbit’s foot—the hind foot was thought to be a protective talisman because of the secret burrowing habits. Of a rabbit 

• Take a chance—to accept what happens, with the possibility that it will be good luck

• The end of the rainbow—a pot of gold was thought to be found at the end of the rainbow, but out of reach. Like the rainbow, it was an illusion and impossible to find

• Born under a lucky star—belief that position of stars at birth determines fortune; March was thought to bring confidence and charisma, and November gave truth and wisdom

• Lady luck--an ancient personification of chance who was considered to bring luck, especially in casino slot machines. A common phrase is that “Lady Luck smiled on me,” although she is fickle and unpredictable.

There are also cultural harbingers of “bad luck” as well, such as a black cat running across the path ahead of you, walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror or spilling salt.

A common phrase in English is “Good luck,” which seems to imply some positive component of life will be available to keep one from adversity and even death.

However, God does not operate by means of “luck.” He works according to his plans and pleasure, which Christians should ask that he work them out in their lives.

There is no “Lady Luck” for the Christian, nor is there any “luck of the draw.” God has a plan for each of us, and it is not based on luck, chance, or fate.

Karl Franklin