GOD AND YOUR WORK

PRAY.

WORK.

INITIATE.

RELAX.

The gospel is communicated by proclamation and by affirmation, by word and by life.  Work is an environment where affirmation lays the foundation for future proclamation.  Here are some ideas for developing relationships.

Pray.  (17 seconds a day, maybe more)

God is already working at your work.  His plan for most of us is to work for a living.  Your work is living out His will for you.  It also puts you on a level playing field right next to those who don’t yet know Him.  You might be the closest they will ever get to Jesus.  (John 6:44; John 16:7-11)

–         to see where God is working.

–         for someone apparently closest to the Kingdom

–         for someone apparently farthest from the Kingdom

Work.  (8 hours a day, maybe more)

Your work has intrinsic value by the products you make or the services you provide.  Do your work with excellence, as if Jesus was your boss.   Do your work with excellence, as if Jesus was your customer.  A good work ethic will also cultivate respect and appreciation from your work associates.  (Colossians 3:23; Proverbs 22:29) 

-          competence

-          teamwork

-          integrity

Initiate.  (17 minutes a week, maybe more)

Take the initiative in relationships.  Be friendly.  It helps not only with your work relationships but socially as well.  And no need to be a “proclaimer” in this situation.  God will open doors naturally if others are comfortable around you, trust you and don’t feel judged. (Proverbs 13:20; I Corinthians 9:19-22)

–         at work: engage casually - invite to lunch

–         after work: be ready to say yes to go into their world

–        try to make controversial topics “non-issues” in order to focus on real needs and interests.

Relax.  ( 0 seconds?)

Be yourself.  God is at work in you and will use you as you trust in Him and seek His face.  He made you as you are for a purpose. Don’t relax in a lazy sense, but accept who you are and be comfortable in your own skin. (Matthew 4:19; Matthew 5:16)

–         your personality: relate comfortably; don’t try to be someone you are not

–         your interests: opens doors for common ground

–         spiritual gifts:  God uses all of them to bring people to Himself

–         character:  issues invariably come up at work that reveal and test character.  As you walk with God and trust Him in the day to day demands, your integrity and character qualities can cultivate trust with others

–        your weaknesses:  don’t forget that God uses us in our weakness (II Cor 12:9-10).  Trust Him to use you despite your failings.