For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
According to Ephesians 2:10, God has prepared paths for you to take. But these paths are not your fate. Fate is the belief that God either wants you rich or poor, sick or healthy, and that’s what you get regardless of your choices. The Bible does not teach us to believe in fate.
Ecclesiastes 3 teaches us that there’s a time to be born and a time to die, which can sound a lot like fate. However, those can’t be fixed times. If they were, why would Ephesians 6:1–3 say that honouring your parents can increase the length of your life? Several other verses speak of extending your life by following God’s commands and by using wisdom. If you can extend your life, then your life is not fixed.
Instead of fate, the Bible teaches that you have a destiny you can choose to follow. God prepared best-case scenarios for you that incorporate the unique gifts and desires He built into you. If you choose these paths, they lead to the most exciting and productive life possible.
Will you still go through tough times if you follow God’s paths? Absolutely. Life will always have its challenges. But Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:24–27 that, if we build our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus and God’s Word, storms may blow, but we won’t be shaken.
God knows what He’s doing. He doesn’t make mistakes. The gifts and passions He has placed within you are for a purpose. Keep following His paths by building your relationship with Him and by becoming the most authentic you that you can be.