“That each of them may eat and drink,
and find satisfaction in all their toil
—this is the gift of God.”
Ecclesiastes 3:13  NIV

Ecc 3:13 Satisfaction

Do you like taking personality assessments?  I hesitate to let you know I do because a neuro-psychologist friend of mine, raised a brow when I told her!  Maybe I’m crazy, but I find them fascinating.  Perhaps it’s because taking a Birkman Method Personality Assessment in 2008 changed my life.  At the time I took the test, I was a Director of Finance and Operations for a company I co-owned in the Automotive Industry.  I dreaded work and felt drained most of the time.  This girl had a fancy title, yet very little satisfaction for her toil!

MY BIRKMAN BREAKTHROUGH

When I got the results back from my Birkman Assessment the lights came on and I understood for the first time why I felt so dissatisfied.  The first section of the test rated the ten areas of work activities or interests to see what brings you the most fulfillment in life.  Any area scoring above 50 energizes your personality, while scores below 50 are draining.

My top three Areas of Interest were:

  1. Persuasion (Selling, Communicating) at 96
  2. Social Service (Helping Others) at 94
  3. Literary (Writing, Formal Persuasion) at 92.

Somehow Musical was next on my list at 75, which seems illogical given that I can’t hold a tune!  (Wondering if I answered something wrong there???)  Clerical was last on my list above 50.

The Birkman rep explained how anything above 90 was considered necessary activities, in order for you to feel fulfilled.  They weren’t just things you liked to do, they’re things you needed to do!

My job at the time barely included any activities that were in my top three Areas of Interest.  No wonder I felt frustrated!  I could see how I enjoyed the Operations side of my role and not the Finance side since Numerical scored below 50 on my list.  Sure, I can perform the role as a bookkeeper; I’ve done work like that since I was twelve, helping in my parent’s business.  It was clearly a learned activity, not an innate ability.

MY BOOKSFast-forward four years from taking the Birkman and I published my first book, Water In The Desert, followed by Soul H2O…and hopefully many more books to come (Literary).

SPEAKINGI now travel internationally and speak to women’s groups (Persuasion).  This position allows me to help people I’ve never even met (Social Service).  It’s so much beyond what I could’ve ever imagined for my life.   Working as an author, speaker and blogger is my dream job.  At this point, there is great satisfaction for my toil and I consider that an invaluable gift from God.

Does Work Bring You Satisfaction?

Jeremiah 29:11 tells how God’s plans for your life are good.  Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”  When you’re fulfilling the activities God uniquely created you to do, you’ll feel satisfied.  The more you spend time in relationship with God, the more your desires for the future will line up with God’s good plans for your life.  It’ll become natural.

EPHESIANS 2:10

On this, day after Labor Day, take the time to ask yourself:  Am I fulfilling Ephesians 2:10 through my paid job or volunteer activities?  If not, it may be time you got crazy like me and completed one of those Personality Assessments!

Prayer

Father…I believe you’ve placed a divine destiny within me because, the Bible tells me so in Ephesians 2:10.  Let the desires of my heart help me discern Your purposes for my life so I can experience Your gift of satisfaction.  May I use my time and my abilities for Your Glory, and enjoy every minute of it!  In Jesus Name…Amen

[tweetthis]Does Work Bring You Satisfaction?[/tweetthis]

If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.

Drawing From The Well

  1. Ecclesiastes 3:13
  2. Jeremiah 29:11
  3. Psalm 37:4
  4. Ephesians 2:10

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IF YOU LIKED THE REFRESHING IN THIS #SOULH2O DEVOTION, YOU’LL LOVE MY LATEST SOUL H2O DEVOTIONAL BOOK: 40 THIRST QUENCHING DEVOTIONS FOR WOMEN.

BLOGGER PRAYERS-GREYYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY 
Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis#SoulSurvival – Donna Riedland
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY 
Coffee For Your Heart – Holley GerthWord Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY 
Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community  Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY 
Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. MeadGrace and Truth Linkup – Arabah JoyCounting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

Sherry Stahl