Fate, or destiny?

[Will D.]

What do the Church Fathers have to say about fate (or perhaps "destiny" is a better word). Do things happen for a reason?

[Lourens]

Do things happen for a reason?

Dear Will,

What do you think?

Pray tell.


Sincere Learner

[Will D.]

From the Wikipedia destiny article:


Destiny refers to the predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as the irresistible power or agency that determines the future, whether in general or of an individual. It is a concept based on the belief that there is a natural order to the universe.

Well, I certainly believe that there is an order to the universe; that God is behind this order; therefore, I am inclined to believe that things don't just randomly happen, but that they happen for a reason.

Of course, this kind of discussion can quickly evolve into a discourse about the meaning of life; which is not what I want to answer.

Instead, very specifically, I wonder if two events (they can be small, seemingly insignificant events) happen to coincide, is it right to assume that this is God's will? Or do we have to wonder sometimes if Satan is at work, and deluding us?

[Lourens]

Dear Will

Thank you for your response and helping me to understand that destiny rests on "the belief that there is a natural order to the universe" which leads to "the predetermined course of events."

You write

Do things happen for a reason?
I am inclined to believe that things don't just randomly happen, but that they happen for a reason.

I was not sure whether your words "things happen for a reason" meant
that things happening were a result of a cause, or that they happen for a reason (purpose) not yet known.

It seems to me that you cannot have the one without the other.

Now, for your further question:

...if two events (they can be small, seemingly insignificant events) happen to coincide, is it right to assume that this is God's will?

Events unfold about us and they are certainly able to reveal God's will, guidance, and intention for our lives, and the synchronicity of events can be awesome, deepening the mystery of the grace wherein we stand.

However, we contributed to our present circumstances by previous choices, and will continue to contribute to our futures by our present choices. As it is the pure in heart who will see God (even in unfolding events) and discern the Divine Will (in those events), our focus should rather be on the condition of our hearts. Are we in Love?

If we are abiding in Love, we live and move and have our being in Him, and nothing can separate us; nothing can pluck us from His bosom. If we love Him, all things work together for our good---all things exclude nothing; everything is Love's offering an opportunity to choose Him above all.

After all, His ways are not our ways; His ways are far above our ways. It is not our finding a reason (making sense of it) that determines whether something is God's will for us or not. Faith demands that we trust Him; it is faith that pleases God.

Faith tells me that all things work together for me and you to fulfill our destiny----our destiny is God.

Thank you for the opportunity to think on these things. Perhaps others more learned than ourselves would help us to understand our destiny better.

Learner

[Father David Moser]

Well, I certainly believe that there is an order to the universe; that God is behind this order; therefore, I am inclined to believe that things don't just randomly happen, but that they happen for a reason.

...

Instead, very specifically, I wonder if two events (they can be small, seemingly insignificant events) happen to coincide, is it right to assume that this is God's will? Or do we have to wonder sometimes if Satan is at work, and deluding us?

Rather than talk about "fate" or "destiny" in Orthodoxy, it is more appropriate to talk in terms of "God's providence". God's providence is not some kind of "predetermination" or "fate" but rather a recognition that everything that comes to us is given to us by God for the purpose of working out our salvation. Here is a brief explanation by St Theophan the Recluse:

“God arranges the lot of each person, and the entire course of life of each one is also His all-good industry, as id each moment and each meeting. Let us take and example: A poor man comes to us; God has brought him. What are you supposed to do? Help him. God, Who has brought this poor man to you, with the desire, of course, that you act toward this poor man in a manner pleasing to Him, looks at you, to see how you will in fact act. he will be pleased if you help. Will you help? You will have done what is pleasing to God, and will have made a big step towards the final goal: reward in Heaven. If you generalize this instance, you will come to the conclusion that in all instances, and during each meeting, it is necessary to do what God wants us to do. "

This explanation then carries on to a discussion about doing the will of God. St Theophan instructs us to do the obvious, to do just those things which are at hand:

"As to what God wants, we certainly know that from the commandments He ahs given us. Is someone seeking help? Help him. Has someone offended you? Forgive him. Have you offended somebody? Rush to ask forgiveness and make peace. Did somebody praise you? Don’t be proud. Did somebody scold you ? Do not be angry. Is it time to pray? Pray. Is it time to work? Work, etc etc”

In other words the will of God isn't some great mystery that we have to figure out - it is God's will for each of us to be saved and this life is only the preparation for that. All we have to do in this life is to respond to each moment and each event in the way that will produce in us spiritual growth and spiritual fruit. How do we know what that is - we know from the teaching of the Gospel, the life of the Church, the lives of the saints, etc.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus says that we should not worry about tomorrow - or rather that we concern ourselves only with today. That includes following God's will - just take care of the people and events God gives you today - here and now. Don't be concerned with where you "should be" tomorrow - God will take care of that.

What we come down to in the end is that is one thing to talk about doing the will of God, but finally we must “just do it.” Think of a car. When you try to turn the wheels of a car while its standing still, it is difficult, there is a lot of resistance in the tires to changing direction. You really have to pull hard on the wheel. But if the car is moving, even if only a little, the resistance seems to disappear and the car can be turned easily with little effort. When you are standing still, it is difficult for God to point you in the right direction. But if you are moving ahead, taking each step as it comes, doing the best you know how to do, then it is much easier for God to direct you and “steer” your life in the direction that will lead you into the kingdom of Heaven.

To follow the will of God, just keep going ahead, taking the next step. If God wants to move you in a different direction, He can and will do it. All you have to do is to approach everything with faith and prayer and let God sort out the rest. If you try to figure out the deceptions of the evil one, then you will get distracted from following the will of God - just do what God gives you each day and he will bring you to Himself.

Fr David Moser

[Lourens]

Thank you, Father David, I have been blessed by your response.

Learner

[Will D.]

These are good responses.


I was not sure whether your words "things happen for a reason" meant
that things happening were a result of a cause, or that they happen for a reason (purpose) not yet known.

It seems to me that you cannot have the one without the other.

Yes, leastone, I see what you mean. If something happens as a result of a cause, then we must logically assume that there is some (perhaps unknown) purpose. Also, if things happen for a purpose, then they necessarily must have a cause behind them. You're right, logically, one cannot exist without the other.

To be more specific, when I speak of something happening for a reason, what I mean by that is that things happen for a purpose, not yet known. And of course, by extension, there must be a cause behind events.


If you try to figure out the deceptions of the evil one, then you will get distracted from following the will of God - just do what God gives you each day and he will bring you to Himself.

Thank you, Father, for that advice. I will certainly take it to heart.