CONNECT YOUR CAREER with YOUR CALLING
by Dr. Shelette Stewart
Are you doing what you love for a living? Do your professional endeavors reflect God’s purpose for your life? How does the mission for your business align with God’s mission for your life?
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 day for a myriad of reasons—from weak economic systems, corporate corruption, and poverty—to unemployment, underemployment, and job dissatisfaction.
Our careers consume over half of our lives. We 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!
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 career and commercial endeavors. And, the process begins with believing in God and receiving salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, NKJV).
Business people don’t plan to fail; they simply fail to follow God’s Plan
We must remember that God is the sovereign Creator and the Lord of all. We are simply stewards over His businesses and the Bible serves as our ultimate career and business planning guide. We must immerse ourselves in His Word and pray to discover our God-given purpose as individuals. The Bible says that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28, NKJV). Prosperity follows purpose.
Steps for Connecting Your Career With Your Calling
You are never too young, nor too old, to identify and pursue your God-given purpose. Following are a few practical suggestions and pragmatic ways to uncover your calling and align it with your career:
1. Begin from Within: Pray to the God who created us and ask Him to reveal His purpose for you (James 1:5, NKJV).
2. Recognize the Clues: We are all blessed with gifts (Romans 12:4-8, NKJV). They 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 career endeavors. This will allow you to feel as if you are being compensated for a hobby!
3. Quench Your Thirst: 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. Identify your areas of thirst and quench them through your business ventures.
4. Leave a Positive Lasting Legacy: 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 career and calling positions you to leave a positive lasting legacy in your family, in your community, and in the world. You will transcend the world’s boundaries of temporary success and position yourself for eternal blessings and salvation. Success and Significance. Now, my friend, go forth and connect your career with your calling and enjoy the journey!
Dr. Stewart will be speaking on career and calling during Propel Women’s April 27 Leadership Webinar. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to go even deeper into this important topic! Register for free here.
DR. K. SHELETTE STEWART
Dr. K. Shelette Stewart is an author, global speaker, consultant, and graduate of Harvard University with over 20 years of leadership experience with prominent organizations including Harvard Business School, The Coca-Cola Company, and BellSouth/AT&T. She is a Fulbright Foreign Specialist with a Doctorate in Business Administration and the founder and principal of Stewart Consulting, LLC, a strategic planning firm serving companies, non-profits, and higher education institutions. Dr. Stewart is the author of the award-winning book, Revelations in Business: Connecting Your Business Plan with God’s Purpose and Plan for Your Life© which has been formally endorsed by several industry leaders including Dan Cathy, Chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A. Learn More: www.shelettestewart.com or follow Dr. Stewart on LinkedIn.
