Fate versus Destiny

"There was once a merchant in the famous market of Baghdad. One day he saw a stranger looking at him in surprise and he knew that the stranger was death. Trembling, the merchant fled the market place and made his way many many miles to the city of Samarra because there, he was sure death could not find him. But when at last he came to Samarra, the merchant saw waiting for him, the Grimm figure of death. "Very well", said the merchant. "I give in, I am yours. But tell me why did you look surprise when you saw me this morning in Baghdad?"
"Because," said death, "I have an appointment with you, tonight, at Samarra." (from the first episode of Sherlock Season 4)

The story is a reminder that life is a series of surprises. No matter how carefully planned our life is, there are certain events that are bound to happen. Some things are fated to happen which are out of our control. FATE is something that is predestined. For the merchant in the story, it happened in Samarra. It is like written in the stars and it is overwhelming. However, it should not prevent us from achieving our DESTINY. Our destiny is what we are meant to be. It is something carefully written by our Creator. It is something we need to fight for. In Filipino, it is that thing called "tadhana".

Where does destiny appears in the story of the merchant? Destiny is what the merchant could have done between his trip from Baghdad to Samarra. He could have gone home to his family, enjoyed a meal together before meeting death. He could also have changed his career, he could have done what he really enjoyed, searched for the love of his life, made a trip to Paris, then finally meets death.

The idea of death should not slow us down, but rather awaken us. We should not take this life for granted. We should take this life seriously, make every moment count, and we should always strive hard to fulfill our destiny.

"For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay." Habakkuk 2:3