Destiny is an odd concept. It involves an orchestrated and predetermined course of events over which we have no control. It is fate, and fate is, by definition, unavoidable. Personally, I think that's horseshit. The rugged individualist in me wants to believe that I choose my own way. And I do, in most circumstances. But there was once a time in my life when I almost married a woman who couldn't have been a worse choice for me. As captain of my own ship, I would have married her, but for the fact that not one but two pastors refused to marry us. At that time, a friend asked me, "Are you getting the drift, yet?" We didn't marry, and in hindsight, my children and I are deeply grateful for dodging that bullet. I don't think they would have ever forgiven me for the damage that she would have done to them by an ill choice that I made for my own selfish desire. Was that divine intervention? I'm not smart enough to know God or to think that I could ever hope to understand God. I think it's pretty arrogant to think that a person could fathom God. I have a hard enough time understanding women, much greater the creator of the heavens and the earth. "Want" is a dangerous thing. Or at least it's powerful stuff. It drives us to achieve the impossible. It propels us forward. Those are both good things, but there comes a time when "want" is simply out of place. That's why I think an agenda is often limiting. It blinds us to the potential of the moment because we stare myopically at the object of our desire. We miss the true opportunity, and seldom realize it, and focus instead on what we think is best for us. Water is the best substance I know. Water has no desire. It doesn't have to burrow through an impassable barrier in a certain way; it slowly finds a way around it. It's patient and waits for opportunity. Amazing stuff, water. Destiny, as best I can reconcile it, is our patient and aware recognition of the right path and then walking upon that right path. I don't know if it's predetermined, but I do think it makes itself known if we're paying attention. A person is never "destiny;" though walking with a person for a time might be destiny, if you will. The older I get, the more cautious I become of what I want. "Want" can get me into trouble, whereas if I actually wait for the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place, life is easier. Like water. For an impatient soul like me, that's tough. | 
