In the world of today, it is not unusual for people to attribute unexplained events to luck. “Luck” is a favorable or unfavorable outcome to an event that seems to be outside of our control and is therefore perceived to be driven by random chance.

The belief that reality is in some way controlled by random chance is very common today, but such thinking is not biblical. Note in the text above, the result of a seemingly random event such as casting lots, common in those times, was not random, but was divinely directed. The modern-day equivalent would be something like flipping a coin. For most, this is surprising—how could God direct the flipping of a coin or the casting of lots?

Given that God created the universe, He has all authority to manage His universe as He wishes. Isaiah 55:9 states that God’s ways and thoughts are beyond us. If you concede this, then it is conceivable that what seems random to humans is not random to God.

Applying this truth to career development can be very interesting.

First, you must recognize that everything in your life is divinely ordained. There are no random events. For example, your time and place of birth, personality, aptitudes, family, education, experience, and opportunities are all divinely defined and directed in accordance with God’s purpose.

Second, you must recognize that resisting the purpose of God will not be fruitful—note Jonah’s story in the Old Testament. Jonah did not want to obey God and sought to thwart God’s purpose. That choice proved to be a very difficult road. But in the end, Jonah surrendered to the will of God. The much easier road would have been to submit to the purpose of God from the beginning. Rebellion against God never leads to a good end.

So from a divine perspective, there is no randomness in God’s universe—His purpose will prevail. Therefore if you want to live well in God’s universe and enjoy favor with God, you must repent from rebellion and surrender to God’s will. This is true even for career development.

Here is your business tip. To be successful, organizations must recognize that there is no randomness in God’s universe. Everything happens for a reason. Always seek to understand what the Lord is doing and align with Him. Ultimately all organizational challenges are tangible evidence of God’s work. Our role is to discover what He is communicating through circumstances and respond appropriately.

Regarding career development, help workers to find and fulfill the purpose of God in their lives. Again recognize that God is the author of all circumstances—there is no random chance. God has a purpose for the workplace because He made people specifically to work in His physical universe. Be diligent to help people find and fulfill their divinely ordained purpose in the workplace. This is the best career development strategy of all and it has nothing to do with luck and everything to do with the sovereign purpose of God. To employ a worker outside his or her divinely ordained purpose is rebellion against God and abuse to the worker.