Is your destiny predetermined?

Image: fatherlasthoughts.blogspot.com

There are times that we are forced to reluctantly wonder about destiny. We wonder – are we destined to be rich or poor, have kids or not, be this or that? Or else, why is it that some people work so hard all their lives and just never get the break they desperately need or want? Is it possible to count the number of people who do not live long enough to enjoy the fruits of their labour? I know someone like that – after struggling for almost fifteen years, he finally makes it in an honest way. Less than five years plus a wife and two kids later, he dies tragically from cardiac arrest…this guy was less than forty years old.

We all know the popular saying, ‘que sera sera’ – whatever will be, will be. If that is the case, then why should we bother with all the hustle and bustle? If our destinies are predetermined, is there any point to it all?

Why struggle to make money when you come from a family of unsuccessful hustlers – no one’s ever made it in your family despite all their hard work so you might probably never too. Why hustle for success in your chosen vocation when no one from your neighbourhood has made it past mediocre. Why make plans for the future when your family has a strong history of premature deaths amongst the males – your dad and uncles are victims of this ‘supposed’ fate. Why bother at all because if your destiny is predetermined, does that not mean you will meet a certain end no matter what you do?
I have to admit I have had thoughts like this where certain things happen and I shake my head and say ‘Oh, well… I knew I could never get that lucky.’ It’s taken a while but I think I’ve finally accepted what I’ve known as truth all along – our present is the result of our past actions and some luck and there is no cosmic power manipulating our fate to ensure it goes good or bad. Let’s all believe that our end is only predetermined by a sum of our efforts dosed with some luck and largely spiced with God’s grace and let’s pray, and hope, that the spice and luck we need surely arrive to crown our efforts.