We live in an age of instant gratification. As smart devices have grown in popularity, it is now easier than ever to watch what we want when we want to watch it, to talk to people the moment we think about it, and to look up information as soon as a question crosses our mind. However, this mindset doesn’t stop with our phones.
When was the last time you treated a relationship like it was a chore to get done? Or a time that you were so concerned with getting your work done that you were only focused on doing it quickly rather than doing it well?
These are realities we face every single day as people: the temptation to move fast rather than slow down. When you’re trying to find effective ways to bring faith into the workplace, this type of mindset can just about guarantee that you’ll never see any lasting change.
“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into 60 pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
-Matthew 13:33
People are not smartphones. You cannot press a button and immediately get the results you want. People take time to get to know. This is vital to remember when you’re considering what strategies you want to employ when bringing Christ into your workplace.
Whether you’re starting a Bible study like RC Fasteners or bringing in a chaplain like Preload, let God work in His time. Chances are you won’t start a Bible study, and right off the bat, your entire staff will show up to participate. There’s even a chance only a few will ever come to it, but remember that God came to save the many and the one. While you may want a huge turnout, God might be calling you to invest time in one person over a long period.
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
-1 Timothy 1:15-16
Ask anyone who has seen life change by bringing their faith into the workplace, they’ll tell you that it takes time. Look at so many of the lessons that God taught throughout Scripture: 40 days in the ark, 40 days in the desert, 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and many more. God is constantly using time to teach us lessons about his faithfulness. So when you’re trying to reach people in your business, don’t be discouraged when you don’t see movement right away. Christ is calling you to patience and faith. That combination can be exactly what influences the eventual change that WILL take place.
Pray - “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” - Romans 12:12
Read Scripture - “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Talk to Other Business Leaders - “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17
Follow Organizations Like Christ at Work - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” - Philippians 4:8-9
