I've been lucky

As I was driving today I was listening to an NPR program about people who have been unemployed and looking for work. Some of them have found part time jobs, some full time, but without benefits. There were sad stories of frustration as people tried their best to find employment--sending out hundreds of resumes and going for dozens of interviews.


I began to thank God that I have been so fortunate. Since I began my first full time pastorate in 1974 I have not been out of work. There was a two year period when I served a 3/4 time pastorate (which paid as much as my previous full time stint). And I was very lucky to never have a gap without work during the ten years of interim pastor service.


I got a college degree, then a seminary degree. I was 'in the system.' At that time it was the Southern Baptist system. Then I transferred into the Presbyterian system. I worked hard, accepted calls to smaller churches; I played by the rules--was a team player. I did a good job--most of my pastorates had slow, small growth. In my later years when I thought I couldn't hang on any longer, I grit my teeth and kept going. I reached the Promised Land of early retirement, willing to take less money. And here I am at the end of a career. 

We have down-sized and stream-lined our lives. We live in a small house, but one we got to design. We live frugally, but we are near our family. 


I'm a lucky dog. My parents gave me a stable home and good values to live by. They supported me as I entered the realm of higher education. Because of my religious upbringing I slid naturally into a stable system of employment--denominational religion. Pat had a similar experience. She got a degree in Elementary Education; then in Library Science; and we both enjoyed regular employment. 


I say it again: I am lucky. I feel sorry for the millions of people out of work. I'm glad that part of my taxes goes to support the unemployed. 


So much of life is luck. Randomness. Where on earth we are born, who are parents are, what genes we inherit, what period of history we show up in, who the people are who influence us--there are so many random factors that come together to form our destinies. It should humble all of us. If we are one of the lucky ones, we should see what we can do to help the unlucky ones. 


I'm not discounting a person's individual responsibility or creativity. Each of us plays our own role in our personal development. But some people start the race with a head start; and some begin the race with heavy weights bound to their legs.



You'll note that I haven't mentioned God's providence or anything like that. The problem I have with that approach is this: If I claim God's providence for my good life, what do I say about God in regard to all of those who have tragic lives? I don't believe there is a God who plays favorites.