It can be easy to view our church and work life as separate things. This view may come from our natural desire to compartmentalize and ensure that we have a life outside our work. But are we being true to our calling if we partition our lives in ways God never intended?
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” - 1 Peter 4:12-14
However, another reason many people struggle with this is because it’s just easier to keep the two things separate. The people we go to church with already believe in Jesus, which makes talking about it much less awkward. At work though, not everyone shares our faith, and it’s often much simpler to avoid the topic altogether. It can also be difficult to see how your work can really be used as a means to share the love of Jesus. All of these factors play into the reality that being a Christ-follower is difficult, especially in a workplace where you’re surrounded by unbelievers. Yet, even when it’s difficult, we are called to spread the good news.
“While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” - Matthew 4:18-20
In these verses, Jesus calls his first two disciples. How does he do this? Does he begin using complicated doctrinal language to make a compelling argument as to why they should follow him? No, he doesn’t. Instead, he uses their occupation as a way to convey his message. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Jesus effectively combines a spiritual calling with an occupational calling. So take a moment and ask yourself: How is Christ calling you to be a light when it comes to your work?
Jesus called Peter and Andrew to be his disciples and to continue being fishers. It’s not by accident that he called men who knew what it meant to leave a place that’s comfortable to go catch something that doesn’t always want to be caught. The same can be said of your occupation. Jesus knows exactly what you do, and he knows exactly how to use it.
Take the subjects of this month’s featured video. John Houston Family of Companies is a home-building business. However, to them, it’s much more than simply building houses. It’s building a shelter for those in need of a place to call home. This directly translates to how they view their company’s role in the life of their employees, a place that uses their faith to show how Jesus is the one where they can find shelter and a home.
“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him…Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,” - Colossians 3:17, 23
At the end of the day, a simple answer to this blog's question is found in Colossians 3. We are called to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. Yes, that’s right, even our work. As the chapter continues, it also specifies that we should not only do our work in his name but for his name as well. These two truths mean that when you are truly living out your faith at work, there will be no hiding it. So, if you aren’t sure how to make your Sunday activities a part of your practices at work, remember, you don’t have to overcomplicate it. God is simply calling you to be faithful to act in a way that represents the love of Christ.
However, the biggest mistake we can make is to get so overwhelmed with getting it right all the time that we don’t even try. We know the price at which we were bought. Therefore, let us honor God in all we do, including our work.
