The tragic school massacre in Connecticut has provoked current discussions at Getbig Theological Seminary to reflect on issues dealing with God's providence. Before proceeding, perhaps a helpful distinction should be made between 'fate' and 'destiny.' 'Fate' is usually used in closed-ended terms, i.e., as events and states of affairs that unfold, and are arrived at, necessarily and cannot be otherwise; whereas, 'destiny' is usually used in open-ended terms, i.e., as a "destination" that might or might not be achieved (hence, one can fail to fulfill or achieve one's destiny). German theologians and philosophers make a distinction between fate (Schicksal) and destiny (Geshick).
The Roman writers Seneca and Augustine (and much later on in Germany, Kant*) used the phrase "Ducunt volentum fata, nolentem trahunt," i.e., "fate leads the willing and drags the unwilling," in closed-ended terms.
*Although Kant misstated the phrase.
Just saying, on a very sad day.