We live in a world of struggle where cities burn, beloved leaders are buried, wars rage — and yet we are invited to continue on, to pursue the callings set before us. We may create space for grief and lament, but our faith points us to the eternal truth that God takes ashes and brings forth beauty. And so, we invite you to consider your deepest wishes. Jen Pollack Michel writes on the dangerous question: What do you desire? In this two-part series, Jen invites us to consider the risks and responsibilities of our desires — and the goodness of God in the midst of those longings.

“What do you want? Is this a dangerous question? A curiosity better left alone? When Jesus was approached for help and healing, he often asked, "What do you want?" or, "What are you seeking?" or, "What do you want me to do for you?" …. He didn't ask these questions to retrieve information he didn't have. And he wasn't in the business of wish fulfillment. Rather, his questions invited people to consider the risks and responsibilities of their desires.”

Of course, even once we achieve clarity about what we want and consider the risks and responsibilities before God, the outcome is not guaranteed. But an unwelcome result is not without its silver linings. We’re reminded of Christine Jeske’s reflections on the ways rejection can further inform our next steps. In the end, each step forward requires courage and vulnerability. We at The Well are here to cheer you on as you pursue the calling God has for you!

“Rejections are intrinsic to the graduate student experience: funding proposals, job applications, awards, schools. We watch weeks of preparation time, hopes, plans, and thousands of dollars slip through our fingers. How we deal with these rejections will shape our academic careers.”

You’re Invited!

We’re hiring! Would you enjoy working with Women Scholars and Professionals? We’re interviewing people with skills in marketing & communications and editing & content. Check out our job listings and join our team!

Pray with us! Prayer meetings will resume January 17. You can join our online, 30-minute guided prayer meetings on Fridays at 8 am, 9 am, and 12 pm (Eastern). Can’t come? Send your prayer requests anyway by emailing us at wsap@intervarsity.org. Ready to pray? Join the Zoom meeting here for those Friday meetings.

Get your copy of the Spring 2025 Book Club selection! Join Women Scholars and Professionals this spring for a discussion of Habits of Hope: Educational Practices for a Weary World. Register now to receive your 40% discount for a copy of the book and prepare for online discussions about a Christian understanding of hope in academia. We hope you can join us!

IVP Faculty exam copies. Professors can request a free exam or desk copy for InterVarsity Press titles adopted for classroom use up to three times a year. Your free exam or desk copy will be sent to you within four weeks. Register for a professional account to access this benefit!

Are you an InterVarsity alum? Use promo code IVCFALUMNI to get a 25% discount at ivpress.com.

Downloadable Pocket Prayer Card from Graduate Healthcare Ministries. Medical students at Brown asked for a small resource that would prompt them to pray throughout the day. Colleague Renee Nicholas created this card with psalms and short prayers to support them — and you’re invited to use it too! Thanks, Renee!

Calling All Scientists! The American Scientific Affiliation is hosting their Winter Symposium on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT. The topic is "AI & Christianity" and features speakers Joanna Ng and Rosalind Picard. Register for this online event here.

Save the Date: February 21-22, 2025 for Believers in Business. As the largest Christian MBA gathering in the country, the 2025 Believers in Business Conference is a key intersection of the Christian MBA and Christian professional communities. Mark your calendars to join them in New York this February!

Are you a new graduate student? We invite you to subscribe to a unique newsletter from InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries designed to support and encourage first-year grad students as they embark on the next step of their academic journey. If you’re a first-year graduate student, click here to subscribe.

Four More Things We Loved This Week

1. One family’s set of dishes has passed through five generations of women, but will the teacups, plates and bowls make it to a sixth? (NYTimes, unlocked)

2. “Does God care about my work?” A new series from N. T. Wright online. (10-minute video with transcript)

3. I want to be more like Jesus … but which one?

4. Don’t like to exercise? Try this simple, science-backed trick. (NYTimes, unlocked)