Time and Chance

“I returned and saw under the sun that—The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.” Ecclesiastes 9:11

“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:16

Time and chance can certainly undermine the strengths and wisdom of men negating results that should flow from their efforts. The word chance here is a word that connotes something we encounter on the path of life – a circumstance or situation over which we have no control. Chance is not random luck but rather God’s sovereignty over all situations in life and their outcome. The verse before, Ecclesiastes 9:10, instructs us to do with all our might whatever our hand finds to do. The Bible also instructs us to work whatever we do with all our heart as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). That is our duty to God. However, it is not man that wills or runs but God’s sovereignty that determines how things will play out in life.

Some people who do not deserve the success or recognition they receive still obtain it. I recently read a book on the letters people wrote to my childhood hero, baseball player Mickey Mantle, as he was struggling with a liver transplant and related cancer that would take his life in 1995. Mickey had been one of the all time baseball greats in the 1950s and 1960s – probably top three in raw talent of anyone who ever played the game. However, because of his drinking (he often played games hungover) and injuries he accomplished less than he might. Despite this, he was still one of the all-time best, with his amazing combination of both speed and power. In addition to the drinking, Mickey was a chronic womanizer, a poor Father and ignored or even was rude to his fans. There was nothing about him personally that should have brought him adulation. However, he became a hero to many, including myself, as time and chance placed him in the perfect time period. He played when baseball was the number one sport and his team, the Yankees, won the pennant almost every year. Further, television came in just as he was starting his career and millions were able to see his extraordinary talent. There was just something about those winning Yankees and the feats of Mickey Mantle that formed Mickey into a hero for thousands of boys. Even the name by chance is perfect for a ballplayer. The heartfelt letters that were written many years after he quit playing are something to read. How Mickey inspired these boys (and some girls) lives for the better. Mickey was not worthy of this adulation but time and chance ordained by God decreed it be given. Mickey was touched by the letters and repented of his actions toward the end. He professed faith in Christ through the witness of his former teammate and devout Christian Bobby Richardson before he died.

The older I grow I see more and more clearly that it is foolish to worry over the ebb and flow of life. Time and chance will determine that. Our job is to simply pursue everything to the glory of God. God will see that we get all the results from our efforts that we need and that He ordains and withhold all of the results that might not work for our good. In the meantime, I still have a fond memory of opening that pack of baseball cards in 1968 and finding a Mickey Mantle – an actual Mickey Mantle!