William Shakespeare, an English playwright and poet once remarked: “Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all.” Romans 8:28 reminds us: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
"Qué será, será" as it is often spelled in Spanish, or "Che sarà, sarà" in the regarded authentic original language of Italian is deemed to mean: “What will be, will be.” Its impetus suggests that there is no point in worrying about the future, as that is dictated by the power of providence alone. It has been said that the true essence of a fulfilling life is to live by qué será, será. Although the original source of qué será, será is believed to be Italian, the translation is deemed closest to Spanish. Some firmly believe that it is Spanish in origin, whereas others refute that thinking and deem that it is Italian. Regardless of the way its ancestry is purported, its general intention is to take heart, not to worry about the future, and to take each day as it comes. However, like its original debatable source, there are also varying interpretations of this well-known phrase. Some egocentric people believe that life is what you make it. They selfishly deem that one is entitled to live life to its fullest and make the most of every day, even if it be at the costly expense of those less fortunate.
Fate is often regarded by many to be predetermined. It is a philosophical perspective of life that is central to the doctrine of fatalism. It is believed that one’s destiny is not subject to change and individuals have little say in its course, direction, or final outcome, as its scope is considered independent of human control. However, in truth, this is a complex and debatable viewpoint with differing opinions, as there is no physical evidence to prove or disprove this theory. Others, in their sagacity, believe that any deviation in a proposed course of actions or definitive purpose for a betterment in life, can alter a predestined outcome.
There are significant illustrations in the Bible regarding the many differing fortunes of providence. In one of Jesus’ parables instanced in Luke 16:19-31, an apposite and salient story is told of a rich man and Lazarus: “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’
But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house - for I have five brothers - so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”
This parable not only illustrates that the richness of heaven will come to the poor, but if one changes for the better in life, especially in considering and relating to the needs of others, then a different and more worthwhile outcome at the end of an earthly life is plausible. This enforces the potential that change can predestine a totally different fate than the prescribed one. Romans 12:2 confirms: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In the notable Charles Dickens novel, “A Christmas Carol” a similar story of a wealthy man intent on his own pleasures and richness in life is portrayed, emphasizing the need for a lifestyle change from one of considered meanness into one of charity toward others. This is necessary to avoid ultimate disaster.
Wealth can have its disadvantages, it can suggest a false hope of security or entitlement to the best things in life, it can create a vision of personal superiority over others. Its love can be the fruit of one’s downfall. Money by itself, can never guarantee happiness or a life of fulfillment. 1 Timothy 6:10 confirms: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
No living person can truly think of himself as a master of life. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ came to serve, so we, in humbleness, need to serve others. 1 Timothy 6:1-5 reminds us: “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
Life is all about the quality of living. Living, on its own, is merely an existence without purpose. If we don’t have purpose then we may lack focus. Focus is making the most of, not only our existence, but others too. If we can attain that, then the realization of "Qué será, será" will achieve its true worth in abundance, and we can attain the happiness, fulfillment and satisfaction that we hope and crave for in life. Marcus Aurelius, a former Roman emperor once remarked: “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature.”
The Bible reminds us that personal fulfillment is achieved by doing God’s will. Just as God has mercy and compassion on the needy or poor in life, so He hopes and requests the same from us. Selfish thinking in life achieves nothing but eventual misery. If we think only of our own needs or satisfaction, what Godly purpose are we actually achieving? Jeremiah 29:10-14 reminds us: “For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.”
Amen.
