The Greek myth of Athena has it that she emerged, fully-formed, from the brow of her father Zeus. There on the floor of Olympus, ready to fight. And while this is myth, who's to say that it hasn't—in it's own way—given rise to, or at least influenced the equally substantive modern myth of instant gratification, get-rich quickness and all-around expectation that God (the true God) should work on our terms and our schedule, our way? Because the Bible purports an altogether different understanding of character development and long-term focus. Ironically, Athena represents wisdom (among other things) and wisdom is something that, by its very nature, takes time to form and acquire.
"Possess ye your souls with patience." (Luke 21:19)
For whatever reason, we emerge from the womb and begin to wander around—and to wonder in general. Who are we? Why are we here? How did we get here? The wonderings are allayed, however temporarily, when we discover that we have parents, and parents of parents. The biological quesiton is easily parried, if not answered. But something deeper remains, something spiritual. Our dreams begin to form and to tell. We reminisce over old memories that spoke to something that seemed genuine. Maybe there's a dream that helped define us and to steer us in the direction we're on. And that's not easy—easier to steer when moving, yes but once you get going, it can be incredibly difficult to turn. Follow me here. Some people live out their entire lives in a state of undecision. If that's the road you find yourself on today, take heart. I may not have any concrete and particular answers for you but rest assured, God does. And the value of an overarching answer to a life is indeed worth the life (i.e. time) spent finding it.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteourness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33)
There is a price to pay. One of the things that came to me in the wake of my parents' divorce—a watershed for me—was the phrase: "I discovered that I wasn't who I thought I was." This isn't to say that I am done searching, just that I'd never have found myself had I continued on with the facade I'd built up from about four years old, on, that crescendoed in my late teens. All that aside, there were, and continue to be, those of a certain stripe who will approach me with some notion as to who I am, and what my gifts and talents are that really have nothing to do with the person I know myself to be. Gifted people, no doubt. But no one knows you like God, your Creator.
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:11-12)
See, God knows you. He knows why you like the things you do. Knows why you do the things you do. The quirky habits and peculiar foibles that you think no one sees. He knows all the things that you see that you'd hope no one else does. Trust, everyone has them. And in and above and in spite all of that: He loves you. These things don't hold a candle to the importance to Him that you are. And if you ever feel so inclined, give any and all of the things in question to Him, one at a time, and watch Him replace them—over time—with their true counterparts. Any recurring mistake or fault is based on a need that we're seeking to meet outside of Him.
"And ye are complete in Him..." (Colossians 2:10)
Keep asking, keep searching, keep knocking. Good things, worthwhile things take a long time. But it's so worth it to stick it out and wait on God. Keep preparing, keep practicing, keep fit. Because you never know how or when God will let you see something about yourself in reward for your seeking Him, first. That which you lay to rest at His feet will be transformed into that which is enlivened by Him, never to die. Trust. God has you. God sees you.
In closing, if there was one thing I could confidently assert regarding one's search for significance amidst the stars is that, in Jesus only, all is one.
"And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3)
And, "wisdom is justified of her children." (Matthew 11:19)