Sai Baba on destiny

Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, who was Sai Baba of Shirdi in his most recent past life, lovingly explains, "Things which have to happen will always happen.  Even if you hide yourself in the forest you cannot save yourself from disease, death and old age.  You are bound to go when the time comes, leaving behind everything.  It is the Grace of God which alone is permanent."

So, instead of fearing the destiny that awaits us, we could choose to ensure safe passage through life by following our conscience, which is our resident divinity, rather than chasing after material desires which cannot save us from sickness and death.  
With so few years to live, even if one reaches into the 100-year mark, what is the use of our existence if we have not come one step closer to inner freedom and everlasting life by attaining the Grace of God?

Father/Mother Sai assures us that our good actions are definitely noticed by God.  He gently guides us with his words, "Remember that with every step, you are nearing God; and God, too, when you take one step towards Him, takes ten towards you.  There is no stopping place in this pilgrimage; it is one continuous journey, through day and night, through valley and desert, through tears and smiles, through death and birth, through tomb and womb.  When the road ends, and the Goal is gained, the pilgrim finds that he has traveled only from himself to himself, that the way was long and lonesome, but the God that led him unto it, was all the while in him, around him, with him and beside him."
But, why, if everything about ourselves is already known to God, including our ultimate fate, would we make efforts to save ourselves from sin and retribution?  

There are those who appear to live a wicked life and "escape" from any punishment from gods or men.  Happily, according to Guru Sathya Sai, even God responds to your efforts to lead a righteous life.  To the world it may appear that we have failed, but to the Lord we might be a huge success.

Puttaparthi Swami says, "If you earn the Grace of the Lord, even the decrees of destiny can be overcome. There are certain drugs that come with expiry dates, beyond which the drug loses its efficacy. The drug may still be sealed in the bottle but it will no longer be effective after that date.  Similarly, the Lord's Grace can make decrees of destiny inoperable.  

Just as you do not feel the severe pain in your body when the doctor administers an injection of morphine, the Grace of God allows you to endure difficulties without having to undergo the suffering."