Today, I want to share with you my PASSION! God created us in this time and in this place for a REASON—to impact His Kingdom. We know from Genesis that He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to WORK, so our WORK is as important to God as every other aspect of our lives. I am a huge Max Lucado fan and love how God connects with me through Max’s words, so I will share from his Devotional Bible:

God is speaking through Psalm 37:1-40
Situation: David used a number of expressions to contrast the righteous and the wicked. David said that good consequences are a result of good behavior.

Observation: God’s people will receive “what they want” as they trust God, commit their lives to him, and delight in serving the Lord.

Inspiration: What are my longings? This question may surprise you. Perhaps you thought your longings had nothing to do with keeping your life on track. I couldn’t disagree more. Your heart is crucial. Psalm 37:4 says, “Enjoy serving the Lord, and he will give you what you want.” When we submit to God’s plans, we can trust our desires. Our assignment is found at the intersection of God’s plan and our pleasures. (Sounds too good to be true, right?!) What do you love to do? What brings you joy? What gives you a sense of satisfaction?

Some long to feed the poor. Others enjoy leading the church. Others relish singing or teaching or holding the hands of the sick or counseling the confused. Each of us has been made to serve God in a unique way.

“God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing” (Ephesians 2:10).

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother’s womb…Your workmanship is marvelous…You were there while I was being formed…You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe” (Psalm 139:13-16, TLB).

You are a custom design; you are tailor-made. God prescribed your birth. Regardless of the circumstances that surrounded your arrival, you were not an accident. God planned you before you were born.

The longings of your heart, then, are not incidental; they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored; they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passions to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate. (from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado)

APPLICATION What is God calling you to do? Spend some time in prayer asking God to speak truth to you from each of the various activities you are currently doing, especially your work!

What do you enjoy about what you’re doing?

How is it serving the people God brings into your life?

Where do you see God in what you’re doing both FOR you and WITH you?

What connections do you see?

If you want to be more purposeful about embracing what God may be calling you to but aren’t sure how, ask your pastor and your friends for advice. They probably have a great perspective about how God is using and will use you when you seek Him with a willing heart. If you would like more assistance, please contact me for a complimentary 30-minute heart to heart. I am passionate about connecting women’s longings with their passions and their Lord!

Shannon Spencer is the Founder and CEO of The Savvy Woman Business Network, Executive Coach, Joy Strategist and Marketplace Minister. A life-long entrepreneur who is passionate about shining the light of Christ through all she does, she has a strong background in retail management and specialized in Mental Health and Wellness. Shannon lives in the wine country of Kennewick, Washington with her amazing husband and talented teenagers, where she teaches and empowers Christian Mom-preneurs to fulfill their missions at home and through their work with joy. Kingdom living is her passion. Find out more about Shannon—and her newest program, Cultivating a CEO Mindset for Savvy Mom-preneurs—at www.TheSavvyWoman.org.