by Mark Sotomayor
I write this from my own encounters, my questions, and my relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ve wrestled with this revelation for years — in prayer, in silence, in failure, and in fire. I always sensed the truth, but I needed the proof written on my own soul before I could speak it.
Now I can say it plainly:
Destiny is from God.
Fate is from you.
That’s the difference. That’s the war. That’s the calling.
Destiny Is Divine
Destiny is God’s will and purpose for your life — His dream seeded in your spirit before you were born.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you.” — Jeremiah 1:5 (NKJV)
Fate, on the other hand, is not from God — and not even directly from the devil.
Fate is what happens when you run your own life. It’s self-will left unchecked. It’s the product of a man or woman steering without the Spirit.
The devil doesn’t always need your worship; he just needs your apathy.
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” — Matthew 12:30 (NKJV)
If you don’t choose God, the darkness will choose for you. Even silence is a side.
The Subtle Surrender to Self
When you make yourself the center — doing what you want, when you want — you are already walking under fate’s shadow.
But don’t give Satan too much credit. Even his traps serve God’s grand design.
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
God allows conflict so His light can pierce through our darkness. The question is: will you submit and follow Him through it?
Is God Truly Good?
This question broke Eden.
“Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” — Genesis 3:1 (NKJV)
It’s still whispered today: If God is good, why does He let me suffer?
Most Christians say “yes, God is good,” but their obedience ends where their comfort begins.
When that still-small voice (1 Kings 19:12 NKJV) tells you to move, to give, to go where logic says no, will you obey? Will you step into the unknown like Abraham?
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” — Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV)
Obedience is not blind — it’s brave. It’s trusting a Father you cannot see but whose presence you feel deep within your spirit.
The Voice Within
That voice in your gut — the one that warns, nudges, or comforts — is not “something.”
It’s Someone.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” — John 14:26 (NKJV)
Religion mocks this intimacy: “Oh, that’s just your emotions, or bad pizza.”
No. That’s the voice of the Shepherd.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27 (NKJV)
But to hear Him, you must silence the noise. You must unlearn the religion of control and return to the simplicity of relationship.
Knowing God, Not Just Knowing About Him
We’ve memorized God’s résumé but ignored His heart.
“This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” — Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)
We analyze Scripture but refuse to walk it out when it costs us. We seek men’s approval more than God’s whisper.
The truth? We don’t trust Him.
And yet, He keeps calling. He keeps waiting for intimacy.
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” — James 4:8 (NKJV)
Destiny and Purpose
There is only one Man who can reveal your destiny and make it happen — Jesus Christ.
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2 (NKJV)
Salvation is not the finish line — it’s the starting gun.
You weren’t saved to warm pews or sing safe songs once a week. You were saved to bring heaven down to earth, to release God’s glory wherever you walk.
“Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” — John 7:38 (NKJV)
Yet too many believers can’t receive the rhema — the spoken Word of God — because they only know the written one. God wants to speak through you, not just to you.
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” — 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)
The Cowardice of Religion
Why do some who shout the loudest for God often preach fear instead of faith? Because they’ve been tamed by comfort.
But Scripture says,
“The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.” — Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
That verse puts cowardice in the same category as witchcraft and murder — because fear is faith inverted. Fear trusts the enemy’s voice more than God’s promise.
So if you know truth and stay silent, you join the lie.
The Real Meaning of Sin
To sin literally means “missing the mark.”
The Greek word for sin is hamartia which means to miss the target.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
But listen — when you’re walking in your calling, filled with the Spirit, sin loses its pull. You don’t have to fight darkness when you’re ablaze with light.
We fall into sin because we lose focus — because we forget our purpose.
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” — Galatians 5:16 (NKJV)
When you live by fate, you react to life.
When you live by destiny, you create with God.
The Power of Focus
Sin begins in the mind. Whatever you magnify becomes your master.
“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
Focus on failure and you’ll fall.
Focus on Christ and you’ll rise.
“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2 (NKJV)
You are powerful — not because of self-help, but because God breathed His image into you.
“Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” — Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)
Your imagination is sacred ground. Whatever you cultivate there will manifest in your walk.
The Call to Courage and Love
So, what will it be? Fate — your way, your will — or destiny — His?
Step boldly. Love fiercely. Forgive quickly.
“Perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)
The world doesn’t need safer Christians; it needs braver ones — men and women who believe God even when it hurts, who love people even when it costs them, who obey when logic says run.
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)
Final Word
Destiny is surrender. Fate is stubbornness.
If you seek, you will find.
If you knock, it will open.
If you ask, He will answer.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7 (NKJV)
God is speaking right now — in whispers, in wind, in word, in wonder.
The only question is: Will you listen?
You decide.
MARK SOTOMAYOR 