Did you ever question yourself on a phenomenon or a significant event that happened in your life? Did you wonder if it is fate or destiny?
These two words, fate and destiny are often misunderstood by a lot of people. The truth is, they are entirely different in concept.
Fate is something that cannot be altered no matter how hard we try. It is a pre-determined event that can happen without our choice and is beyond our control. Destiny is something that we have full control of, a choice and the desire to make it happen.
Nonetheless, there are times that fate and destiny can go hand-in-hand. and can work effectively together.
You cannot choose your parents, relatives nor the country of your birth. You cannot also choose the timing of your death. These are only a few examples of fate. With destiny, you can have a choice, explore your given talents, chase your dreams and most of all, choose to be successful in life.
From a religious point of view, Christians believe that God has an intention and mission for us here on earth, but He also has given us free will to do the righteous way of living. If we pick the wrong path, we should be responsible for our actions.
You desire but do not have, so you kill, you covet but you cannot get, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have, but you do not ask God.James 4:2 (NIV)
Indeed, this is an ultimate example of our free will, and the choices we make will have a dire consequence in our lives. We also have a choice of connecting with God, but some continuously ignore that, and some take it for granted.
This is one of the many series of experiences of fate and destiny in my life. Most of you will remember the Port Arthur Massacre in Tasmania on the 28th of April 1996.
My hubby and I had booked to visit on that very same date, but I had changed the date to one week before as I was informed that there would be a military parade, a police concert and lots of activities. The Port Arthur massacre happened on the day and time at Broad Arrow Café during which we were supposed to have our lunch as part of our itinerary. The café was quite small and the arrangement of tables was so close together that it was easy for Martin Bryant to shoot people.
I always have a shiver down my spine every time I remember this incident. It was my fate not to die yet. I believe I still have to fulfil a mission here on earth. At times there are occurrences that will happen in our lives that only God will know and have control.
Yes, it is true we have free will, a destiny to chase and follow but at the end, it is the will of God that will prevail. The Lord’s prayer venerated and prayed by billions of Christians around the world has this important message: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
Excerpt from my book, My Innermost Thoughts
Realities of Life
Each time we breathe to live
Each time we should remember that life is a gamble
Each time is a challenge
Each time is a journey because no one knows
What the future brings and holds
Yes we can try to plan and control our lives
But much to our dismay we soon discover
We can only do it to a certain degree
So as not to be bitterly disappointed, accept the things
You cannot change
If you can change things, do them better next time
Indeed these are the REALITIES OF LIFE
