Too often, we confuse “fate” with “faith.” Nothing could be more different!
How many times have you heard someone say – or said yourself – “This is my fate. Nothing can be done to change it. What will be will be.” That’s fate talking. Fate says things that are cannot be changed. What we are is what we will be. Fate shows no signs of hope. It is pessimistic. It dwells on what has been, not on what can be.
Faith, on the other hand, says something different. Faith is the belief that things are or can be different, despite what we might see around us. Faith always points to what can be, rather than was has been. Faith is always hopeful, always optimistic. Faith is the belief that Someone greater than us is in control. Faith deals in possibilities and promises.
Some time ago, I read a book by one of the most creative pastors I know, Mark Batterson. In that book, Mark makes this statement: “Don’t let what you cannot do keep you from doing what you can do.” That’s faith!
Fate focuses on what cannot be done, on what we cannot do. Faith calls us onward, to do what we can do, to give it our best.
Fate says there’s no use trying. Faith says trying is often all that’s needed.
It’s easier to live our lives by fate, believing that there is nothing we can do to change things or make life better. It’s easier to give up than to have faith that things can be changed. Why? Because faith requires something of us, fate does not.
Faith requires action on our part. Many of us have been taught that all we need is faith. Wrong! What we need is faith AND action. God will not do for us what we can do for ourselves. Faith asks us to put forth an honest effort, trusting that God will add God’s grace and bring about the good.
Fate is easy. Faith is hard work. But the blessings of faith are untold!
By which do you choose to live: fate or faith?
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