How would you rate your work? Is she one of the best you've ever had? Perhaps it suits you now, but serves as a stepping stone to where you would really like to take your career in the future? Are you actively seeking out better opportunities? Or are you in a situation where you feel stuck and have to just get out of bed and go to work every day?
Most of us have probably found ourselves in two or three of these situations at least once. Even the best work, admittedly, is not perfect. The “ideal job” will still have elements that we would like to change; whenever we deal with others, there will be problems.
The question is how we cope with our current job: do we want to go to it every day with joy or not? This is especially important for those who follow Jesus, recognizing that we are called to be “ambassadors of Christ,” as we are described in 2 Corinthians 5:20. Are we different from others by reflecting the light of Christ to our employers, colleagues, clients and others we encounter every day, or are we like co-workers who grumble and complain throughout the day?
In Psalm 89:17 we read this earnest request: “...may the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and make us prosperous in the work of our hands, prosper us in the work of our hands.” There may be times when we eagerly look for other job opportunities, but as someone noted, God expects us to serve and represent Him where we are—we cannot serve and represent Him where we are not.
How do we reconcile our current work situation—good or bad—with the calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ wherever we go? Here are some principles from Scripture that may help.
We must approach our work with peace and gratitude. When we handle difficult situations with dignity and joy, other people will notice. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be friendly... And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:15, 17).
We must manifest the light of Christ both through our work and through our words. In a world where darkness and evil reign, our faith in the Lord will shine even brighter. “You are the light of the world. A city standing on top of a mountain cannot hide. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).
We must reflect the presence of Christ through our pursuit of excellence. Everything that God does is very good. As His children, we should strive to do the same. “Have you seen a man who is agile in his work? He will stand before kings, he will not stand before simpletons” (Proverbs 22:29).
We must become known for our honesty and integrity. In a work environment where there is so much compromise, we can stand out through our commitment to honesty and integrity in all our dealings. “Faithful scales and weighing bowls are from the Lord; From Him are all the weights in the bag” (Proverbs 16:11). “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the wickedness of the deceitful will destroy them” (Proverbs 11:3).
© 2024. Robert J. Tamasi wrote Market Ambassadors: The Continuing Legacy of CBMC Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at its Best: Timeless Proverbial Wisdom for Today's Workplace; Finding Life with a Shepherd's Heart, co-authored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, co-authored with David A. Stoddard. Bob's bi-weekly blog: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com
Questions for reflection/discussion
NOTE. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 17:27, 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Colossians 3:23-24.
Difficult task
Striving to serve and effectively represent Jesus Christ in a secular, often godless workplace can seem like an overwhelming challenge to overcome alone. We cannot achieve this on our own—and God does not expect us to. If you want to be known at work as someone who lives for Jesus, it will be easier for you to find others for mutual support and encouragement. You may currently be part of a CBMC group - the Connect 3 team, a young professional group, or a trusted advisor group. Here you can find the help you need. If not, pray about becoming part of a group of like-minded people dedicated to serving Christ in the community.
