Love to hear from and know who is listening
Did you know that the average person will spend one third of their life at work or about 90,000 hours? Many of us look at work as a necessary evil that takes up a large portion of our lives. It’s easy to get burnt out by our work and let it affect our attitude or work ethic.
Have you ever crawled out of the bed and thought to yourself, "why do I have to go to work today?" I am confident that there is not a single person that has not at least once dreaded the fact that they had to go to work. At some point in your life, we have all had that job or co-worker that just grated on your nerves. They were like fingernails on the chalkboard. They just had this way of getting under your skin to the point where you just thought your head would explode. They made you just hate your job!
Did you know your work ethic could either bring Glory to God or destroy you witness? Even during the most difficult tasks, you can choose to have a work ethic that pleases God. Ultimately, you’re working for the Lord, not human masters.
Colossians 3:23-24 NIV Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Work has been ordained by God since the beginning or time. In the beginning God put Adam in charge of the Garden of Eden. Adam was tasked with caring for the garden and even with naming all the animals God created. God used Adam in his work, and He can use you. Your job allows you to use the skills, intelligence, and experience that God has gifted you. In your day-to-day job, you have the opportunity to love and serve those around you. Almost every job requires you to interact with others, whether that be a boss, coworker, or a customer. Imagine this, what if God was standing behind you at your workplace. Pretend He was doing a job shadow of you at work. How would He react to the way you answered the phone? What would He think of the way you treated customers, or worse yet how would God react to your workplace banter with your co-workers? Do you think he would approve of the gossip in your office or the attitude you have towards your boss? I gotta tell you that if God was doing a job shadow day with me, I am confident that He would not be impressed with me! At the end of the day, I think the two of us would be having a "Come to Jesus" conversation if you know what I mean!!!
No matter what your job is you can set a godly example at work. In Matthew the Bible tells us to shine as lights to the world, keeping our behavior and speech above reproach. You can invest in your work friendships and pray for those around you, keep in mind that your work can be a platform for evangelism.
Matthew 5:16 NIV In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
I know we all work hard for our paycheck. Look around you though, I am sure you can find someone less fortunate than yourself. Your job can not only bless you, but others as well? Your work allows you to make money that you can use to bless others in your life. Pay it forward, buy a stranger's drink at the convenience store. Your gesture of kindness may be all that is needed to give you the opportunity to share the good news of salvation with someone does not know Jesus as their Savior!
