What Drives You Nuts? How to Find Your Purpose
Were you born with a burden? Some people seem to be born with a real passion in life – to excel in sports, become an activist, change the world, share their faith, write, and more. I’ve always thought they were lucky. They have a pretty well defined vision for their lives, and some even seem “called” as children.
But I’ve had a number of people tell me they don’t have that burden. Many struggle to find it. They are sincere people, and many have spent years looking for their purpose.
Why are you here? Why were you born? What keeps you up late at night?
Let me offer a suggestion. I’ve discovered that in many cases, the thing you hate the most, is probably the problem God has called you to fix. In other words, what do you hate? What drives you nuts? I believe the key to your destiny could be found in the answer to that question.
I know of a woman who hated stories of young girls who got pregnant out of wedlock, and were suddenly “dumped” by their boyfriend or family. Those stories drove her nuts. So she created a network of homes literally around the world that take these women in, helps them finish high school or college, trains them for a job, gets them back on their feet, and helps them raise the child, or find a good home for it. It all started with something that drove her crazy.
It’s not a matter what your job is or what you do for a living. What you hate could express itself in a movie, a book, a march, a campaign, a cause, or a religious awakening.
When I spoke at the Sundance Film Festival a few years ago, I talked about this very thing. One of the students came up to me later and told me, “I’ve been wrestling with my purpose in life for years. I’m in graduate school, but just can’t decide where I can make a difference or what I’m passionate about. But after your lecture, I went to my room and made a list of 10 things I really hated. I discovered that all 10 come from essentially the same cause. At that moment, it was like a window opened, and I discovered what I was born to do.”
Try it yourself. What do you hate? What drives you nuts in life? The answer may change the course of your future.
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
