Time and Chance
“Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.”
LOOKING AGAIN
"Again I saw" shows the Preacher watching life with renewed attention — this isn't a hasty opinion, it's the conclusion of someone who has seen a great deal.
TALENT DOESN'T GUARANTEE THE WIN
The swift, the strong, the wise, the intelligent, the knowledgeable — each category lists who "should" win, and each is undone by the same honest observation.
TIME AND CHANCE FOR ALL
This doesn't deny skill — it acknowledges that forces outside your control always enter the equation, even when you did everything right.
AN ANTIDOTE TO PRIDE
If the outcome depended only on your effort, the credit would be all yours — acknowledging chance means acknowledging you depend on grace in every win too.
RELEASING WHAT YOU CAN'T CONTROL
This observation frees anyone living anxious trying to guarantee every outcome — you do your part with excellence, and hand the rest over to God.
SURRENDER THE OUTCOME
Act: Name one situation where you've been overworking to guarantee the result, and pray, handing that outcome over to God today.