Are you doing what you love for a living?  Do your professional endeavors reflect God’s purpose for your life?    

Regardless of whether you are an employer or employee, the Bible says that we are to be about our Father’s business (Luke 2:49, NKJV) and to do business until He returns (Luke 19:13, NKJV). But “doing business” is becoming increasingly difficult for a myriad of reasons – from a global pandemic, civil unrest, a declining economy, corporate corruption, and poverty – to unemployment, underemployment, and job dissatisfaction.  

My dear sister, our careers consume over half of our lives.  Some of us spend more time at work than we do with our loved ones!  So, it’s critical that what we spend most of our waking hours doing, for most of our lives, is also spiritually edifying.  We spend too much time at work not to enjoy it.  We don’t have a personal life and a professional life; we have ONE life and we have to make it count!

So how do we make our lives count through our career pursuits?  As always, the answer is found in the Word of God.  The Bible says “where there is no revelation, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18; AMP).  One critical revelation is the importance of having a biblical foundation for your professional and commercial endeavors.  And the very first step of establishing a biblical foundation for your career is rather simple, it’s just being his daughter. (John 3:16)  Maybe you have never thought to ask God about your work, but if you have taken that step and are His daughter, than He cares about your whole life, including your career. 

Steps for Connecting Your Profession With Your Purpose

You are never too young, nor too old, to identify and pursue your God-given purpose. 

Now, you might be saying:  “Well, Shelette, that all sounds good, but I’m not even sure of what my purpose is!”  Good point.  Read on for a few ways to uncover your purpose and align it with your profession:

1. Begin from Within:  Pray to the God who created you and ask Him to reveal His purpose for you (James 1:5, NKJV).     
2. Pay attention to the Clues:  We are all blessed with gifts (Romans 12:4-8, NKJV).  These are often clues to your spiritual calling and purpose.  What is it that you do so well that you are always getting complimented on?  What are your passions and hobbies?  Make sure that you incorporate your natural skillsets, talents, and abilities into your professional endeavors.  This will allow you to feel as if you are being compensated for a hobby!
3. Obey Your Thirst: One of my advertising slogans is for The Coca-Cola Company’s brand Sprite™ – Obey Your Thirst.  I love it because it encourages consumers to honor their passions and interests.  Jesus says: If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink (John 7:37, NKJV).  What do you thirst for spiritually?  Intellectually?  Creatively?   That thirst, that yearning, that calling, that desire, is there for a reason.  It’s not to be ignored and is often linked to your purpose.  

The Benefits of Connecting Your Profession with Your Purpose

When you connect your profession with your purpose, you position yourself to maximize your personal fulfillment and professional success.  You become anointed to excel in your career; you have passion for your occupation, and you truly enjoy it!  It’s like getting paid for a hobby!  

Aligning career and calling positions you to prosper in every aspect of your life.  It provides you with a level of peace that comes only from God because He is in control.  You are no longer operating within the confines of your own human limitations.  You no longer have to worry about the economy, competitive threats, and corporate downsizing.  You are in prime position to excel and also enrich the lives of others.  

Nelson Mandela once said that “courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”  We must overcome fear and pursue all that God has ordained for us because it’s not just about us.  Aligning profession and purpose positions you to leave a positive lasting legacy in your family, in your community, and in the world.  And, most importantly, it allows you to transcend the world’s boundaries of temporary success and positions you for eternal blessings.  Now, my sister, go forth and connect your profession with your purpose and enjoy the journey!