In the Bible it appears that God’s work brings him satisfaction. In the Genesis account of creation, God makes the heavens and the earth in six days. When all was said and done God stepped back and commented on it all. He basically said, "I did good work and I am proud of it!" This is the CSV version, (Calloway Substandard Version). How do I take this attitude that God has about work into a place that may be hard, callous, un-appreciating? Perhaps your workplace is a place that is a joy to be at and you need to be reminded of the blessing you have. Here are my suggestions.
Re-examine how you view your workplace
When a Christian – the temple of the Holy Spirit – walks into an office at Progressive Insurance or the US Government, those places becomes spiritual places, and the same goes for any workplace!
If you want to be able to say “Thank God it’s Monday!” you’ve got to tear down the wall and the perspective that keeps God away from your work. Begin to look at your work as your mission field. That doesn’t mean that God expects you to preach to all your co-workers or pass out tracts or start up religious activities. You do begin to ask yourself how you can do God’s will where you work. Begin to view your workplace as a sacred space.
Introduce God into your job activities
Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 (NLT)
To introduce God to our specific jobs, we need to think deeply about questions like these:
• What does it mean to both be a Christian and hold this job?
• How would I do my job differently if I were not a Christian?
• How should my faith affect the way I relate to my co-workers, superiors, or employees?
• Has anything been written by a Christian in this or a similar field?
Treat co-workers and bosses with care
What’s your attitude toward the people you work with? How do you treat them? Do your actions and attitude reflect the image of God or do you operate in default mode by following the practices of a self-centered, money-grubbing culture? Which is more characteristic of you, competition, self-promotion and one-upmanship or service, compassion and cooperation? Treat those co-workers with care. Take a cue from Jesus.
Find a career that fits your calling
I’m often asked by folks about my calling into pastoral ministry. I don’t mind sharing it at all. But, you know what, when I was working in the secular workplace a an accountant, no one ever asked me about my calling into business. I wish they would have.
My point is this: we are all called by God to a particular vocation. He has uniquely wired each of us up for a particular kind of work. I should be able to ask each one of you, “So tell me how God called you into sales or construction or teaching or medicine.” How did you know that’s what you were born to do? Make no mistake about it, each of us has a calling. God has a plan for our lives.
If you don’t roll out of bed and think, “Thank God it’s Monday!” let me suggest that you may have simply not found your calling. Or perhaps you know it, but have been too afraid to pursue it. Maybe you’ve opted for the cash rather than the calling.
