Lucky or Blessed

**This post is long, but I'd like you to take the time to read it and let me know what you think.**

While I was in my hometown for Christmas, I attended a Christmas Eve service at the church that I grew up in. The preacher preached about grace, but he said a couple of things that stood out to me. The first thing that he said was when it comes to God, you aren’t lucky, you are blessed. That got me thinking about a few things. How many times have we said, about ourselves or others, “That was lucky.” I know I have thought it and heard it many times. Webster defines luck as a chance happening in which one has no control. Webster defines a blessing as a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness. When I stop to think about it now, I must ask myself is the luck I talk about really a blessing from God.

Who are some people that you may consider “lucky?” One person that comes to my mind, especially since I’m a huge SEC football fan is Tim Tebow. Florida has a great football team, and that guy is really talented. He is also a Christian who serves others. You can often see Phil 4:13 written in the eye paint under his eyes. He also does mission work. It is noted that each summer, Tebow returns to the Philippines, where he was born, to lead evangelistic crusades and minister in orphanages. Though I don’t know the guy, I honestly believe his belief and conviction. The preacher at my home church also said that if you seek out His purposes, God will honor you. I truly believe that, even though Tim Tebow is talented, his winning is not luck, but a blessing from God. I do believe, after hearing his story, that Tebow seeks out God’s purposes. I believe God uses him and his success to bring others to Him

Another person that comes to mind is Carrie Underwood. Now I know many of you will laugh at me for saying this because you know I’m a huge fan, but I really think it’s true. Like with Tebow, I don’t truly know Carrie’s heart, but I believe you can see her faith in her actions. She doesn’t get out there and preach, but she lives it. She always thanks God when she wins awards. When she sings songs like “Jesus Take the Wheel”, “How Great Thou Art”, “So Small”, and “The First Noel”, I truly believe she is worshipping the Lord. Just watch her…just download any video of those songs from You Tube and see for yourself. Another reason I believe she is totally grounded is because of her lack of drama and trouble since she has become a “celebrity.” You don’t hear about her getting arrested or sleeping with this guy or that guy, or any other typical celebrity drama. It has been over 3 years since she won American Idol, and she is only in the news and known for positive stuff. How many of us could say that we are only known for positive things and we don’t have the pressure of being famous! I think human nature without the control and conviction of the Lord, would lead us into the negative things. I have had the opportunity to meet her and have brief conversations with her a couple of times. If you’ve ever done that, you know she is a genuine person and is not just putting on a show. Now…I tell you all of that to say that I’ve read and heard interviews where she says that she’s lucky. But knowing what I know, I must say that I think she is truly blessed! I don’t think you get to be the top female vocalist, sell as many albums as she has, have 10 number one songs in 3 years, have as many fans as she has, and touch as many as she has touched just off of luck, a chance happening. She had a fan attendance of 1.2 million people over this past year. She had the opportunity to come into contact with a lot of people! I believe that God used and is using her and her success, as with Tebow, to not only bring honor to Him, but to bring others closer to Him, while blessing His followers along the way!

I tell you all of this because I want to live 2009 in a life full of blessings. I know that means that I must seek out His purposes and follow His ways for my life, but I believe it’s the blessings that make life full. A wise friend of mine, Cynthia, told me “In a book I’ve read there is a line in there that talks about people praying that God will bless what they are doing. But, what if people prayed, "God, let me do what you are blessing”…that would be a completely different prayer. God will never bless what is outside of His Will for you, but He WILL allow you to do what He is blessing for you, if you follow His Will.” I know I won’t be famous and will never be able to sing, but it’s the simple blessings that others may call luck that I’m hoping for. I pray that my life will be one in which brings honor and glory to Him! I want to pray as she stated, “God, let me do what you are blessing.”

I know there are many stories of blessings from ordinary people like me and you. I just used the famous ones to make my point; however, I’d love to hear your story! I hope you all are blessed as we start 2009!