Destiny?

As I was watching the previews before the movie I was struck by the preview for "Spiderman 2" as the words scrolled across the screen, "This summer one man will face his destiny." It struck me as I was watching and reading, "How many of the movies out there are at some level about facing/discovering ones destiny? It seems any movie/story with a clear hero is about claiming that destiny. I've started reading "Into the Wild", which is largely a story of a young man who set out to fulfill his destiny of living off the land in the wilds of Alaska. He was inspired by many of the great authors of the classics. What is our obsession with destiny?

It seems that is very tied into that ancient question of what is my purpose in life. It is the same place that Rick Warren starts with "A Purpose Driven Life". We as people of faith often turn to Jeremiah 29:11 as means to define our purpose, our destiny. I think our nature is to want to fulfill our destiny and so we devour self-help books, we join clubs, we go to church every week, we try to be good... but can we really do it? We strive for it, but without the help of God we are simply in capable. Does that mean we shouldn't try? I don't think so. In fact, I say watch the movies, read the stories, get inspired to fulfill your destiny. Then get on your knees and pray. God will lead you there.