For a stretch of time, I had lost my passion at work. Every day, I dragged myself to the office. My attitude towards work was deteriorating and it began to show in my performance. Worse, my company was not doing well, all of my close colleagues left, and my work relationship with one of my bosses was also affected.

While I didn't realize why I was like that, I hated what I was becoming and frequently tried in my own strength to correct these things to honour God - however, it didn't last long before I began to long for an escape. Afterall, I had been serving in this company for 4.5 years (a good time to leave).

I was seriously considering a change of career and convinced myself that it was God's will.

However, my church leader said one thing that got me to check my heart, "God has given you creative talents and you ought to use it to glorify Him."

I surrendered my desires to Him and heard what I really didn't want to hear: Stay.

Yet I have experienced His faithfulness far too many times to not obey. So, I settled in my heart to stay until He said otherwise although I was still struggling with my passion at work.

During the RE:UNION Conference, God confirmed His will again and this time with a deadline: 1 more year. I also felt that I really could not leave until I see His glory in my marketplace. So I made up my mind to obey and put serious effort in sharpening my talents.

The next day, I went to work and something within me changed. Although exhausted, I found joy overflowing as I stepped into the office. Despite being bombarded with lots of urgent assignments, because of His joy, my responses to my colleague improved.

In fact, on that very same day, God opened my eyes to my next level at work. Instead of feeling condemned, I was excited to realize so many rooms of improvement in my performance. At the same time, He was pouring out solutions to my work challenges.

Something within came alive and I knew God has answered my prayers - He has given me a purpose at work and restored my passion.

Never say No to God.

============UPDATE==========
With this story, I was able to share my experiences with two colleagues. One who is a pre-believer and she was blessed by it as I encouraged her to fulfill her purpose here and not be discouraged since she shared the same experience as I did. Perhaps it was His joy that overflowed because my colleague's countenance was different from before (she was usually quite discouraged) as we shared on how we could be giving our best at work and improving our workplace's culture. Believing that one day she will taste God's goodness!