Gifts can come in unusual ways and in different types of packages. They can be physical objects, like a book, or a gift of the heart, like kind words. Sometimes we are totally unaware of the gifts of the heart…and this is a BIG mistake.
Ignoring a Gift
Several years back I was struggling over my career as an environmental consultant. I was stressed by the demands of the job, particularly difficult clients and relentless schedules.
I was one of the 63% of workers worldwide who are “not engaged,” meaning they are not happy with their work (Gallup report). The truth is I was more than unhappy. After many years in the environmental field, I hated my job.
This isn’t at all surprising. Over 87% of all workers “are emotionally disconnected from their workplaces.” Work for many is a source of frustration rather than joy.
How do we end up so frustrated? Is it a choice or does it just happen?
I propose it’s because we ignore a HUGE gift and we pay the consequences.
What is the Gift?
Throughout college, I knew I had a passion for teaching and helping people, but I didn’t listen to the passions of my heart. I chose a technical, task-oriented career because I wanted to be:
- self-sufficient
- financially independent
- author of my own future.
I didn’t want to rely on God or anyone else at that point in my life. This resulted in unfortunate consequences.
Fast-forward 20 years. Although I was successful at work, I was unhappy and stressed. After jumping around between firms, I realized that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side of the fence! I was personally responsible for my own misery.
Why? I had ignored one of God’s priceless gifts – one he had been revealing to me throughout the years.
God wired me for a purpose. God knew me before he formed me in the womb. Before I was born he set me apart for something special! God knew the plans and purposes he had for my life.
His priceless gift is finding your purpose.
God reveals it to us throughout our life. We simply have to pay attention and unwrap it slowly as he presents it to us. It’s a gift from the heart of God to us.
The good news is that it’s never too late for finding your purpose. I did! Here is what I discovered:
- I am a seeker and source of enduring relationship with God and people.
- I help develop and transform people to become all that God has created them to be.
I finally rectified my BIG mistake – I received the gift God planted in my heart long ago. I applied my purpose as I shifted from environmental consulting to transformation coaching, a people-oriented profession that focuses on relationship building and helping others realize their potential.
Does my story resonate with you? Have you made a similar, self-motivated career choice, but are now ready to make a change? Click here for a FREE life purpose quiz and see how you score. Discover if you are “living with passion and purpose.” Don’t wait another minute. Finding your purpose is a gift from God.
