Fate

Once upon a time, there was a general who was leading his army into battle against an enemy ten times the size of his own.

Along the way to the battle field, the troops stopped by a small temple to pray for victory.

The general held up a coin and told his troops, "I am going to implore the gods to help us crush our enemy. If this coin lands with the heads on top, we'll win. If it's tails, we'll lose. Our fate is in the hands of the gods. Let's pray wholeheartedly."

After a short prayer, the general tossed the coin. It landed with the heads on top. The troops were overjoyed and went into the battle with high spirit.

Just as predicted, the smaller army won the battle.

The soldiers were exalted, "It's good to have the gods on our side! No one can change what they have determined."

"Really?" The general showed them the coin--both sides of it were heads.


This is an old Chinese story about fate which basically says this: Fate is in your own hands. The smaller army was able to beat the older army because they believed they would - and they took action accordingly. As a Christian I still believe the story has something useful for me, that is that I need to believe that not everything is determined ahead of time and that I am not just a powerless man, tossed helplessly upon the crashing waves of fate and destiny. It is true that God is working powerfully in my life, but it does not mean that I have no responsibility to take action and choose to think positively (and in faith) as well.