Not Always

I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time. - Ecclesiastes 9 : 11

I agreed that being skillful, wise, highly educated doesn't really guarantee success in live. But wait, it doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue your study, learn new skills, and pray for wisdom. All those are still needed. In fact, we need to continually sharpen our body, our mind to be able to follow the pace of the world.

But, to be successful it takes chance as King Solomon said. Chance as defined by Oxford Dictionary is "a possibility / probability of something happening, an opportunity, the occurrence of events in the absence of any obvious design or cause."

I got another way of looking at chance, I believe it is an opportunity given by God. We often find ourselves making choices through life. That is just the way God does thing, He is never pushy about choices we make. Those choices will inevitably include chances / opportunities. And it always up to us to make those choices, grab those chances. The the best gift God has given to human is "Freewill"

Being in the right place at the right time is not about luck. It is about your journey that takes you there. And what journey is that? Choice that include chance, or I prefer to call it opportunity. But, the preparation also matters. You can't possibly go on a journey / traveling without bringing any money, go for an exam before studying.

But then again, being prepared does not always guarantee success. Being able to take up the opportunity does, but it always come back to our preparation.

~ Success is when Opportunity meets Preparation ~