I've always said it: God changes all the paths from morning to

"I've always said it: God changes all the paths from morning to evening." These profound words from Yoel Romero remind us of a truth that has echoed through the ages: the unpredictability of life and the divine forces that shape our journeys. In the ancient world, the gods were seen not just as distant deities, but as active participants in the lives of mortals. Their wills often determined the fates of heroes, kings, and common folk alike. Romero’s words speak to the idea that life is a series of paths, some chosen by us, others guided by unseen hands. Just as the gods of old wove the fates of men, so too do the forces of destiny and divine will shape the paths we walk from dawn to dusk.

In the Greek mythologies, the Fates were powerful goddesses who controlled the destinies of all beings, from mortals to immortals. Clotho, the spinner, would weave the threads of life, while Lachesis measured them and Atropos cut them when their time had come. These three goddesses controlled the paths of all, no matter how much a mortal may have tried to change or alter their course. Just as Romero acknowledges the power of God in shaping our paths, so too did the ancient Greeks understand that, though we might strive for control over our lives, there is always a greater force at play, guiding us through unexpected twists and turns. This divine intervention is not always understood, but it is always present, shaping our lives in ways we cannot always see or predict.

Consider the life of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey. Odysseus, like many of us, was a man of determination, striving to return home after a long and tumultuous war. Yet, despite his cunning, strength, and perseverance, his journey was constantly altered by the will of the gods. Whether it was the wrath of Poseidon or the help of Athena, Odysseus' path was never linear. Each day brought new challenges, new obstacles, and divine influences that shaped his fate. Romero’s words echo this ancient understanding: we may chart our own course, but the divine often changes the direction in ways we cannot foresee, shifting the course of our lives from morning to evening.

In the Roman tradition, Julius Caesar, one of history’s most famous leaders, also experienced the volatile nature of fate and divine intervention. Despite his remarkable military prowess and political cunning, Caesar was not immune to the whims of the gods. In fact, it is said that he ignored the warnings of the soothsayers who foretold his death on the Ides of March, only to meet his fate as they had predicted. Just as Romero reflects on the changes in life, the story of Caesar reminds us that, no matter how much we strive or plan, there are forces beyond our control that determine the course of our lives. Fate, or divine will, works in mysterious ways—sometimes rewarding, sometimes punishing, but always beyond our understanding.

The story of Job, the biblical figure from the Old Testament, also speaks to this theme of divine intervention and the unpredictable nature of life. Job, a man of great faith, found himself tested by the gods with tremendous suffering, losing his wealth, family, and health. Despite these trials, Job never questioned the will of God, acknowledging that his path was guided by a force greater than himself. His eventual redemption came when he accepted that the course of his life was not in his hands, but in the hands of a divine power. Romero’s statement, like Job’s story, is a reminder that, despite our best efforts, we are often subject to forces beyond our comprehension, and it is through faith and acceptance that we find peace amidst life’s unpredictability.

The lesson that Romero imparts is one of humility and faith. Our lives are not ours to command entirely; they are part of a greater design, shaped by forces both seen and unseen. Like Odysseus, like Job, and like Caesar, we must understand that the paths we walk are often altered by divine will or fate. These changes, while sometimes frustrating or even painful, are part of the journey that leads us to our true purpose. Just as the ancient heroes and philosophers understood that the gods played a role in shaping their destinies, so too must we learn to accept that life’s twists and turns are often beyond our control, and that true peace comes when we trust in the larger divine plan.

In practical terms, this means we must approach life with an open heart and mind, ready to embrace whatever comes our way. Rather than fighting against the changes that life brings, we should learn to adapt, to trust that even when our paths shift, they are leading us to something greater. Like Romero, who acknowledges the changing nature of life’s paths, we must find peace in the uncertainty and the unknown. Embrace the wisdom of the ancients, who understood that while we may strive for control, it is faith in the greater forces that guide us which allows us to move forward with grace and strength.