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Destiny and fate differ in Christian outlook
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Published: October 24, 2008
Most of us believe there is some power at work in our lives that is larger than us. We can recognize occurrences in our life that were "supposed" to happen. We quote the famous phrase, "everything happens for a reason."
Our society even makes movies about it, like "Serendipity," a movie in which two characters' lives continually intertwine, often without their knowledge, until they are finally brought together in the end. The female lead character believes in fate and lives her life by it.
But can there be such a thing as fate or destiny for those that believe that God is in control and has an ultimate plan for us? Are his plan and fate one in the same?
The Bible does not speak of "fate." Fate, from a religious standpoint, is viewed more as a fatalistic outlook — that we have no control, so we must submit to whatever happens. This is a basic principle of Islam and Hinduism, but not Christianity.
This way, we cannot blame fate when we do wrong. We choose to commit sin. James 1:13-14 says, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."
From the very first chapter of the Bible, in the story of Adam and Eve, free will is discussed. Adam and Eve have a choice whether or not to eat the apple that later causes the "fall of man." The consequences are the result of their own decisions, not an unstoppable larger force.
However, we are not to think that we are in total control of everything. We must remember that God is sovereign and has control over the big picture. He is the one who created free will for us and created our world where all of our actions have consequences, but nothing is an accident or a coincidence.
God has a divine plan that will eventually fulfill his plans for creation. As Proverbs 21:30 says, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord." Meaning it is fruitless for us to try to fight against God's plan for our life.
Those instances that we often refer to as chance or fate are still part of God's master plan. Everything, even sin and evil are used for God's greater purpose. Proverbs 21:1 says, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."
Destiny is discussed often in the Bible. Many of the people who appear in the Bible know what God's calling for their life (or their destiny) is. David said in Psalm 139:16, "Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Overall, God is in charge and has a sovereign plan for all of us. But we have the freedom to choose to disobey or obey him. And we will always deal with the consequences of those choices accordingly. But regardless, God will never forsake us. He will always bless us as we follow His plan and gently guide us back onto our path when we go astray.
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