The world of work has changed in the last decade. Yet the question remains: Is it possible to align work with a sense of calling while also navigating equally demanding personal roles and responsibilities? Michaela O’Donnell is no stranger to questions like these. Through starting her own company and listening to others, she has come to believe that we are all called to be part of God’s big redemptive work in this world. Her new book Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World launched into the world in November 2021.
IF YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE OF “CALLING,” THIS IS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.
In Michaela’s work as a practical theologian she converts academic research and lived experience into practical resources for the sake of your career (or your God-shaped dream). I’m thrilled to welcome her back to the podcast for the second time this year, this time to talk specifically about her research that let to writing her book Make Work Matter and its implications for dreamers like us.
In this conversation we talk about:
The myths of “calling” and how we might adjust our thinking on this topic,
An activity Michaela’s created that you can use to reflect on your own journey of calling and track God’s faithfulness in your life, and
What you can do instead of “betting the farm” on your God-shaped dream.
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MORE ABOUT MICHAELA:
Michaela is an entrepreneur at heart, which means she’s a doer, a dreamer, and an optimist. Through starting her own company and the hundreds of hours she’s spent listening to others, she’s come to believe that we are all called to be part of God’s big redemptive work in this world.
As Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Seminary she oversees the center’s vision, strategy, program, and team, all with the goal of helping leaders respond faithfully to God in all seasons of life and leadership. She has created Road Ahead, a six-week experience, rooted in research, that’s designed to help folks in transition take a breath, discern next steps, and gain clarity about whatever it is God is calling them to do.
CONNECT WITH MICHAELA:
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Listen to Michaela’s first appearance on Devoted Dreamers: (Ep 191) Are You Tired of Feeling Like Your Work Doesn’t Matter? Click here to find the episode on your favorite podcasting app.
Get your copy of Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World
Scripture:
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (NIV)
The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called Samuel.
Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
Again the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
“My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
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