Algebra and Tylenol

For one year of my life I sat dazed in fourth period while my high school algebra teacher tried to convince me that quadratic formulas actually matter in the real world. Well, I hate to break it to you, Mr. Dub, but I haven’t gazed at a coefficient in several years, and I’m doing just fine. Math was never my preferred subject in school. In fact, at times it was my arch nemesis. Honestly, I didn’t care if x equaled y, and come to think of it, the unanswered question still doesn’t bother me. I remember spending hours trying to work up the courage to open my textbook and begin tackling the problems. After a valiant effort and two Tylenol had failed to help me, I would wail and moan and call my uber-genius friend, Jordan. Somehow he always seemed to know what x equaled. Although I have never reconciled my differences with algebra, Mr. Dub was one of my favorite teachers. The thing that I admired most about him was that he was enthusiastic about the classes he taught. Creative, witty, and patient, he approached the subject from every possible angle in an effort to connect with each of his students. I want to be like Mr. Dub. Not a math teacher, of course. But I want to be passionate about whatever I do.

The question then becomes, what do I do? As I stumble around for answers about my future career, I am inspired by the words of Howard Thurman who said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” I take comfort in the fact that God has given me specific gifts for a purpose, even if I’m still learning how to use them fully. While I continue to put the pieces of my life puzzle together, I feel nervous and excited in the same moment. But just as Mr. Dub found his calling, I trust God will reveal mine to me. After all, the world is craving a little God-inspired passion, and I might as well be the one to catch it.