Scripture Reading: Psalms37:4, Romans 7:21-25, Philippians 2:13

The third consideration: the Bible says your truest or deepest desires are important to God.

Christians sometimes expect that if God calls them to some job, it will be something they hate. Otherwise, why would God have to call them to it? One morbid Christian fantasy is to think of one country you would hate living in, and then suppose that God is calling you to be a missionary there. But the best missionaries have a great desire for the place and people they serve. If God is guiding you towards some kind of job or profession, it’s more likely that you may find a deep desire for it in your heart. And in some cases, your truest desires may be met through other areas of life, not necessarily in work.

It can be difficult to get in touch with your truest or deepest desires. Our motivations become so confused by sin and the brokenness of the world that our apparent desires are often far from the true desires that God has implanted in the depths of our hearts. For this reason, we cannot just say, “Do what makes you happy.” What makes you happy—or seems to make you happy—might be far from using your skills and gifts for the common good. It may also be possible that the work that would fulfill your true desire at first appears undesirable; it may require great sacrifice and difficult labor.

Knowing what you truly desire requires spiritual maturity.

Reflection Questions: Ask yourself what you truly desire. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Write it down. What are you afraid to admit that you desire? How do you spend your time? What can’t you imagine living without? Who do you hang out with, and why? Think of 3 to 5 moments in your life when you were engaged in activities that made you feel alive—what were you doing, and why? Do you see any patterns?

Prayer: Jesus, I bring all of who I am before you. I pray that as I seek you, you would mold and reveal the desires of my heart. If there is any fear or sin in my life that would prevent me from pursuing the desires you’ve given me, I ask that you would set me free. Amen.

Author: Theology of Work Project

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