Lucky or Good?
Today I saw a guy wearing a T-shirt with the slogan, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” I thought that this might represent a false choice, a false dichotomy; or at least somewhat dis-ordered. My response is that if you are good you are lucky, and if your are lucky you will be good. I think that in our modern secular (some might say “post-modern) society that “luck” represents the age-old religious concept of grace. As John Wesley, the founder of Methodism might note, it is only by grace that we can recognize grace. Similarly, it is only by luck that we can manage to be good. Many would object that this undermines personal responsibility and may even negate the concept of good. Rather, I believe that grace is the foundation of any good living. Is there anything that we possess that is not made possible by God? Nonetheless, my athiest friends might perceive this in a different light (or the eternal darkness that is most of this cold, unwelcoming universe). Athiests may assert that what is simply is. However, as one who appreciates absurdity as much as the next carbon-based life form, then “luck”, “goodness”, “grace”, and, well, pretty much everything “just is”. Hey, they may be right. Nevertheless, I believe, and choose to lead my life, in a manner seeking/valuing a higher order, if valuing something — anything — has any meaning at all. Today, I feel lucky — and perhaps that’s just the way it is. Though I might go as far to say that it is good…