Have you ever wondered if there was a difference between fate and just life happening? Do things really happen for a reason, or do we have some control on where our lives end up? If you think about it, I’m sure you can recognize some of those moments that are hard to pass off as happening out of nowhere. You think there almost had to be a divine connection, or even an encounter that brought you to that person, that place, or even that thing that just seems to have happened at the right time.
The allure of such prospects immediately draws us in before we really count the costs of its presence. Then it’s somewhere down the road that you start to think if what just happened was too good to be true. You start second guessing whether or not what seemed to be so great is even something worth dabbling in. Somewhere along the journey you’ve found yourself on the ever-so-timely question of fate arises. It begs the question, is or isn’t it?
I am not so sure I believe in fate, or better yet things falling in perfect alignment at the perfect time in the most perfect way. However, I do think there are people, places, and things that we stumble over that make life a little more pleasant in the season. When making decisions of finality, I think it’s important to not question if it is in fact “fate” or even something that was “meant to be.” Instead, maybe we should consider timing, how we feel, and what other people around us have to say. While something might look right, it might not be what you need right now. We have to understand that every decision we make has the potential to change and affect everything we do. In the moments we question where our lives are headed, we have to trust that the narrow way will lead us in the right direction.
Here’s a topic I’ve been stewing over recently. I have come to a moderate conclusion that it pays greatly to be sensitive to timing, logic, and what you feel. If I have to alter everything I’m doing to harbor a relationship or something in my life, it may not be the right time for it. A logical solution can be to prioritize things to stay on track in reaching your goals. Feelings and emotions can get a little more complicated. My personality tries to first solve things using more logic and less feelings. When things appear out of thin air I try to discover why they did. I can picture God shaking his head at me for trying to figure things out on my own. I just have to do some course correcting from time to time. I believe fate is unavoidable, so I don’t try to ask myself if something is or isn’t. The end of what you wrote sums up what I’ve decided is most important. In essence, make good decisions. Pray, think, write it out. Understand what you have the potential to change. Good blog!
Hi, my name is Taylor, and I am a Christian, and so is my best friend. We are both 12, and we preach the word of God in school, and try to help people come to him. The thing is that she brags too much. About her height, weight, her background, body, and so many other things. This is everyday- I have to listen to this. We are almost the same height, and almost wear the same clothes size. We went to health at school to get our height and weight taken, and she ways 88 pounds, and I was 110. Next, thing you know she asks me how much I weigh and I tell her. Then her jaw drops and she says “WHooa……….Taylor” I say “What” she says “Oh nothing”, this really gets on my nerves, it makes me want to cry………….I’ve told her about her her bragging………….but it still continues……..I pray, and I will continue to, but do you think I should be be her friend………..I really can’t take this anymore……It makes me feel like I am a nobody, she doesn’t know how I feel even when I explain it to her………….Please help,Thanks love yall’s channel……..
Remember that it’s not about you. It’s all about her. She sounds like she has a very strong ego, which can be good if she learns to serve Love completely. A fractured sense of self makes a weak servant. The ego lies to itself, and can convince us that we don’t deserve forgiveness for being weak.
She sounds like she is trying to make up for a low self-image by exalting herself. Remember attention is energy. Have compassion toward her in her weaknesses as long as you have the energy, otherwise take a break from her and pray in order to recharge. God loves you and His presence is an everlasting source of healing joyous life. When we have His attention, we don’t need anyone else’s. And we can trust that He will heal those we love in his own time. Even if they turn away from Him, His heart is open to every soul.
He has given you spiritual gifts, and these tests make you stronger. Keep a soft heart like our Lord, and keep loving strong with it. You don’t have to be leaning over pouring your”self” out. You can be upright and be overflowing with Him.
Okay, thank you very much for in advice, I will continue to show love, pray, and read the bible.
Kennon-
Thanks for taking the time to encourage Taylor. You have such a sweet spirit. I’m going to have to hire you to help me respond to everyone! haha : )
I just wanna say GOD IS SO GOOD….. I volunteer at a local skating rink at my area every weekend until I can work there, and my family and I know the owners real good. So there was this man who is a good friend of the owners, and he helps them out in the rink. So I say hello and stuff, and I told him I needed to refill the soap, and he got the stuff, and we would talk about the rink and stuff. One Sunday, when I really got to know him, he asked me if I went to church, and I said yes. Another day He shaved his head, and I asked him why he shaved it and he said it was because of a stroke he had, and he told me it happened a couple of years ago, and we went on from there. So every Sunday he asks me if I went to church, and I say yes. Every time I see him he looks so sad/tired/and depressed. So I asked him if he was alright, he said yes. Another day it was the rink’s 3rd year anniversary and we had cake, and we were both cutting the cake, and he said a bad word and said he needed a cigarette. I said it’s not good to curse, or smoke, it’s not good for your body and stuff like that. Also he asked me about my dad and if he was a minister and what we do for our church…I said we do a food bank, count the money for our church, my dad is a minister/preacher/deacon…and my brother and I are ushers, so I told him about that…..then lastly, yesterday he said he wanted to talk to my mom, and I told her. They talked and he said he wanted to fix his relationship with God, and he has just been through so much. But he didn’t want to talk because he would get too emotional, so he thanked me for showing him back to Christ, and we will be getting together. He will be turning his life back to God…Thank you Jesus for using me to get him back to you….I just wanted to share this. Who will I get next, Jesus?….
Taylor-
I’m so glad you found my blog and are reading! You came to the perfect place for advice. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond but it looks like people have are already jumped right in with some great stuff. I think it’s awesome that you are so strong in your faith at such a young age. I know that middle school can be tough and kids can be mean. It makes me proud that you are so strong in your beliefs!
To address your comment, I totally understand how you feel. Believe it or not I used to be a little chubby when I was younger. It’s hard to be confident in our self these days with so much focus on appearance, so I understand how easy it is to get down with yourself. Let me tell you a little secret though and I can only say this because I’ve been exactly where you are before and have many years of encountering situations similar to this one. Your friend doesn’t have a great self image of herself. You might think of course she does with the way she talks, but I promise the only reason she says what she does is because she’s trying to make herself feel better. What you might not realize is that there’s something you got that makes her very intimidated.
So my advice to you would definitively continue to be her friend. She is young and hasn’t quite learned how to communicate her insecurities. If I were you I would just shower her with love unconditionally. I would compliment her and build her up. No matter what she says or does just continue to be there for her not only through your words but your actions as well. There something crazy that happens when you love people unconditionally. You will see how quickly her attitude will change. Lastly, always know your worth Taylor. I’ve learned that it isn’t what you look like that makes you pretty. Even it was, so what if you weighed a few more pounds then one of your friends? God made us all unique, what fun would it be if we all looked the exact same? I’ve found that it really doesn’t matter what you look like as long as you remain confident. If you know your worth, others will too!
I hope this helped, even if it was just a little bit! I hope you will keep us updated on what happens in the future. Until then, our prayers are with you sweet girl!
Thank You for the advice everyone!! 🙂
Taylor-
How have thing’s been recently with you and your friend? Is it getting better at all? Keep us posted! We all want to see how things turn out : )
Actually it’s been good, we’ve talked it out, and you guys were right…….you guys are good people, and I hope God continues to bless you…….I’ve been praying and with my family, and just been in his word, GOD IS GOOD……!!!!
Taylor-
Yay! So she has turned around and being nice? So glad everything worked out!
Your so right. I agree.
I know that’s right. I’ve come to conclude that before I start my day to read proverbs and scripture throughout the busy day I smile a lot more in this dark age. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 God Bless you.
Taylor, for one thing your weight is not THE issue as your friend implies (to make herself feel superior) but what your doing with the life God gave you (us)! I commend you for being a witness for Christ! That’s where the focus should be and it sounds as if that is where yours is! Bless you for that! If your not already, pray for your friend and ask for God to open her heart and mind to His understanding of her preoccupation on I, me, and mine (herself). Perhaps spending times with other friends who encourage you would also help you in your walk with The Lord!
You’re a blessing of God and do not lose hope or heart for the cause of Christ! With God all things are possible and your friend is not a lost cause just in need of His touch to be renewed in her mind as to what her real focus needs to be!
Love in Christ!!
Life is like a big beautiful puzzle and maze. The turns and twists that come up keep us guessing at times but as long as we read God’s Word and find out what He has to say we will almost always make the right choice.
Even though there are not always answers to our specific problem if we learn the character of God we will learn what He would have us do or not do in a certain situation. When we are filled with the His spirit and actually want to listen He will not allow us to be steered wrong. 🙂
I think about this a lot too. This where I believe having “intelligent discernment” comes in! Its always important to make wise decisions in all things, but still listen to the small voice inside of us.
Great article.
Nikoya-
I totally agree with you! It’s interesting you mention we should listen to that “small voice”. I wrote a really neat blog about that called, “Small Voice: For the Save”! You should totally check it out, I think you would really like it.
I am a percussionist, and God has blessed my mind, hands, and spirit to be able to play for him as my best offering, So to me timing is everything. I sometimes believe things happen for a reason, for our own good. God timing is definitely not ours because we want everything to happen asap and don’t want to develop into someone your suppose to be right when you meet someone. I don’t know about fate, but I do know that God Loves us, everything good is from him and we need to learn to receive it ahead of time. Everything bad is a test of character if you fail he will be there to lift you up as long as you don’t blame him for all bad things come from the evil one and our own sin and flesh.
I confess I am a lonely man and seeking a wonderful wife but God and I have a lot of work to do before any of that can happen. I don’t know how many times I run into the “girl of my dreams” and I am not prepared to engage because I didn’t take care of something. So I say let God work inside your heart to prepare you for what is to come. If it’s fate or not? Well I just leave it up to GOD.
Jess Field-
Thanks so much for sharing some about your life. That’s cool God has blessed you to play instruments. I used to take piano lessons but after two years quit. I definitely have not been as fortunate when it comes to the musical arena.
To address your comment, I understand what you are trying to say. However, I think a lot of people didn’t quite get what I was saying in this blog. I guess that’s my fault for being so vague. I think the main point I was trying to convey was so many people get stuck on this notion of “fate”. I do understand God works things out for us and he puts people on our paths at certain points in our lives. I don’t disagree with that idea at all. I just think when it comes to big choices like moving somewhere, marriage, or even what college to go too other things should be weighed more carefully instead of just “Is it fate” or “Is it meant to be”. Does that make since? So many times I have seen people make bad decisions because they based their entire choice around this idea. I just think it’s important to consider your feelings, good counsel, and how things are falling into place around you before making decisions of finality.
I guess we will never really know if “fate” exists, what fun would that be anyway? : )
Wow, an excellent piece you’ve got here. It’s my first time reading through your blog, and I guess I’m hooked up! I’ll come back for more. Well, GOD has got the right breaks, people, and opportunities all lined up in my day- no wonder DAVID talked about this is a perfect day the Lord has made I’ll rejoice and be glad in it! BLESS you sister.
WorshipperTommy-
I’m so glad you enjoyed my blog, that thrills my soul! I’m curious to know how you came across it? I hope you will tell other people about my blog so they too can be blessed!
Well, thanks for the response. I really appreciate the caring shown for everyone’s opinion. Actually, I get to watch DAYSTAR in Africa, GHANA to be precise and that has been soo helpful as well. Bless you and family and keep up doing it the bestest way you’ve always been doing it. Catch you on your next blog. I’m loving this…..
Good stuff Rachel— but I think life is unpredictable and that’s how we should live it..
Julius-
I’m curious to know what you mean by your comment? How do we live life “unpredictable”? Is there another way we do live life if we aren’t living it unpredictably? Would love to hear your thoughts on this more in depth : )
As blind as we are to the future,
in our hands we hold the seeds.
We trust what we can’t see growing,
because we know what we released.
It is true that space is empty,
until our foot hits the ground.
So no step is the wrong one,
unless our feet are bound.
No words from our breath are destined to fail,
unless in doubt we refuse to inhale.
With Life in Him,
the end is the beginning.
The game is already over,
and we are always winning.
Kennon-
I totally love this! You will have to write more poems and post them! Such a beautiful picture of Christianity there. The Lord already won the battle, so all we have to do is believe. If we do, we die to ourself and learn instead to live through him!
You hit a home-run with this blog! There are so many great responses!
Sharon Freeman said it very well. Christ is still alive and we can follow His lead as His Spirit of Truth and Love lights our path. He has a plan and we are part of it. We have a glorious destiny that includes Heaven on Earth. Even if the daily choices seem to only inch us a little closer out of the wilderness, He never leaves our side.
For every snare meant to trap us, we are like the wind. For every illusion, we have a piercing illumination. In front of every blind step, we have a solid rock.
Thanks for your blog, I read it twice because in the first reading I didn’t really understand what you were talking about. Now, I understand the thing that came to your mind is exactly what a good seeker of truth and where can we get the right idea of it? Well, sounds like your going deeper in understanding of what life is and if things are predestined already. The choices we have in everyday life is what we are living right now. We are given the will to act, think, feel and do, whether it will be right or wrong it affects the future. What I mean is that things that are intentionally done are your will but things that are unintentionally done are what you called fate.
All I know is this…..God will shake heaven and earth for one soul. I have witnessed this first hand. The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. Jesus, (the righteous man) is always the footprint we step into as we allow Him to lead and guide us in the path of righteousness, for His name sake. His steps are ordered (as our high priest) and He will never leave us or forsake us. Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of Light, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. As Jesus turns us in the perfect direction (for our life) there will never be any shadows, because there is no darkness in Him. The only thing we need to do, is stay in the light as He is in the light. This perfect life is possible as we ask God for His Grace everyday. I have witnessed this as well. : ) As we magnify Grace, Grace is magnified to us. This Grace/Christ, is our empowerment for life, for life!
I read your web-site on fate. Sometimes I think it is meant to be with who we are with because I am divorced I have been living for GOD about 11 and a half years I have learned a lot. I do get lonely at times I seek friends or even to remarry again. But one thing I know for sure, GOD will never leave us or forsake us. So why would we turn away from HIM? GOD BLESS love you guys
Kelly Morris-
I’m so glad you came to my blog. Thank you so much for sharing some of what you’ve been through. I’m sorry you had to experience a divorce. I know that is never an easy thing to deal with. However, It seems like you have a good head on your shoulders and have really spent time understanding the love of our father. I will be praying that the Lord brings you someone very special in these next few weeks. I think it’s when we are not looking that we end up finding something great! Keep me updated! : )
This has nothing to do with what you just wrote. I have some questions and I don’t know who to ask at Daystar. I hate to call the prayer line for this question. I wanted to know what happened to Dan Smiley. I so miss him on the praise team. Also, wanted to comment on your song The Journey. That is one awesome song. I so enjoy it everytime I hear it. Thanks for listening and hope you have an answer.
Another question. Where is our brother? I haven’t seen him on the show for a while.
Peggy-
I would love to answer your question, but I’m not sure who you are referring too when you say “our brother”? Let me know and I will try to answer the best I can!
Beautiful blog.
Kyle-
I’m so glad you liked it!! : )
I love yall’s show!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Rachel, I love Daystar. My name is Debbie Reberio
Another great blog. Go Rachel!
Nichole J.-
Thank you so much! Keep reading <3
Just read this for the first time. The blog entry that is. I’ve heard and read it times before thru sermons and Ecclesiastes. I guess you can fate it by ignoring God’s voice, (I still don’t get fate) Every season has its reason. For the short middle or long run. Quien sabe sino que Dios? Oh well, continuing on doing what you know to be right, and sometime during The Journey you’ll receive the answer to your heart’s desire. Psalms 37:4 & Lamentations 3:25. (For reference) Very nice article:-)
A little sidenote: doubt your doubts, believe for the unbelievable, look for what isn’t seen, and only be in unbelief towards the thoughts of unbelief that come into your mind & life. God is greater and can make a way where there isn’t possibility to be a way! Remember, He parted the Red Sea. He’ll do it again for you if you just believe.
Hi, Rachel my name is Gabrielle.
I am a Christian and I attend my youth group every week. My family is currently going through some hard times. I want your advice on how to encourage my family member and myself on this dilemma. What has happened is we just found out last week that my uncle killed himself. He felt as if he had no reason to live. He had diabetes and was struggling to keep himself healthy. He was blind in one eye and losing sight in the other and was in danger of his foot having to be amputated. The thing that he didn’t look at is the impact that he made in other peoples’ lives. He always gave people things and when we would offer help in return for his kindness he would accept it. When we were telling people of his death many people had burst out into tears because they felt as if they were losing a great friend. Many family members are very confused and need help. I want to be the encourager, and how can I use God through this not only to encourage them but to lead some of my family members to God? -gabrielle
Hey, this is Taylor 🙂 Just wanted to say hello and Merry Christmas and Happy New year!