InterVarsity

Published 14 Feb 2025

What do you want?

The wise practice of uncovering our desires

A blog post Women Scholars and Professionals

What do you want?

How do you respond when a friend asks, “What do you want?” Whether it is a simple question of choosing a restaurant for dinner or a deeper inquiry into your professional calling, few of us possess the level of clarity we’d hope to have. But can that kind of clarity be uncovered and cultivated? Author and leadership coach Tracey Gee joins us on the podcast to discuss her recent book The Magic of Knowing What You Want: A Practical Guide to Unearthing the Wisdom of Your Desires. Tracey discusses the gifts that come from knowing our desires and the barriers that get in the way, especially for women. Tracey introduces us to some of the questions and processes she has crafted to help in uncovering desire, and we talk about the way spiritual formation plays into it all. And if you listen to the end of the credits, you’ll hear an excerpt from our conversation where Tracey shares a little anecdote about how her teenage sons engaged with her book-writing process.

“What does success mean to you? What does that look like? What is yours to do? What isn't yours to do?”

For those of us who have mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day this year — please know that you aren’t alone. This holiday can raise a lot of expectations, and for many it can lead to disappointments and discouragement. We hope you might find some solace in these “ten ideas for Valentine’s Day” that can help you acknowledge the day with friends, with family, or just between you and God. No matter what your circumstance, we hope that you know you are deeply, deeply loved.

“Several years ago, just a few months after my husband had passed away, I had an unexpectedly delightful Valentine’s Day. That year a grad student couple, good friends of mine and excellent cooks, invited me to have a Valentine’s Day dinner with them. Their invitation transformed the week. ”

You’re Invited!

 

 

Would you (or someone you know) enjoy working with Women Scholars and Professionals? We’re looking for people with skills in marketing & communications and editing & content. Check out our job listings!

 

Pray with us! 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.

 

A Lenten Prayer Experience. How do you plan to observe Lent this year? Join us for a gentle rhythm of prayer based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius. Click through for sign-up information and more details! Begins March 5.

MORE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT INTERVARSITY PRESS

OTHER EVENTS

 

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. For more information and to register, click here.

Emerging Scholars Network Conversations. Join our sister organization for their upcoming online conversations on important topics!

Four More Things We Loved This Week

 

  1. This doctor also finds time in her life to write bestselling novels under a pseudonym. How does she do it?

  2. What do Christians owe their ex-boyfriends? A thoughtful take on un-romantic endings. (Christianity Today, unlocked)

  3. We’re conscious of the impact the potential policy and funding changes to the NIH are having on the scientific community. We’ve heard from you and we’re praying with and for you.

  4. Whether you’re hanging out with a friend or dining with a significant other, here are ten questions to get closer from Caro Chambers.

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