A FRESH VISION: THE CORPORATE WORLD IS MY MISSION FIELD
The Story Begins
If you had asked me in university what my career path was, where I’d be a decade plus later, no amount of money would have convinced me I’d be in sales with a technology company. I had no interest in technology whatsoever for I could barely work my iPhone!
The deeper disconnect for me that this was a possibility was my outlook on life when I became a Christian. With this new faith, I assumed that to be obedient and all in, I needed to go into full-time ministry, move across the world and serve God as a missionary—the ultimate way to really be a devoted follower.
While we honor the work of missionaries, we must not let our devotion and impact be siloed, narrowed, and minimized by this mistaken view. I came to realize that we all step onto the mission field when we clock in to our day jobs. Much of Jesus’ ministry was done in marketplace settings, in the context of the everyday.
In my last year in college I interviewed with many different companies, one of which was a global tech company, starting in sales. It was everything I didn’t want to do. Yet I felt this unshakable peace that God was calling me there. I’m so thankful God works outside of our limited understanding because I would have completely missed the adventure of a lifetime!
The Adventure Unfolds
My first job, and most of the roles I had were not doing what I was most passionate about. But God had a plan in each and every one. He was building skills, credibility, reputation, and character in me, all of which I would need for what lay ahead. God is way more concerned with who we are becoming than what we are producing.
Technology was not my natural bent. But we are called to do everything wholeheartedly for His glory. So I got good at learning the language of technology. When we are excellent at what we do, it opens doors. But the mission field that is work really came alive when I got to appreciate that the men and women I work around are lost, empty of hope, devoid of joy. They are a big part of why God has me there.
Just by walking out who I was called to be in Jesus would open conversations with my colleagues. This fires me up because each of us gets the opportunity to interact with men and women who would never set foot in our churches. We are ministers in healthcare, education, technology, etc. where people don’t know Jesus or have the wrong understanding of the love of God.
Just like Jesus who is approachable for everyone and attracts people into conversations that change their lives, we need to faithfully build relationships with people. People are the mission. I had a coworker so tough to get on with. But when disaster struck and his new fiancée was MIA in Puerto Rico after a hurricane, the Holy Spirit opened up His own thing!
The Mission Expands
God also works to bring men and women together organizationally. I got to be part of an organization movement to champion faith in a technology company where faith is usually not a part of the diversity and inclusion conversation. God can open incredible doors.
It started with a prayer group and a Bible study. Fast forward six years and we have an interfaith employee resource group for thousands of people around the world. We gave voice to the value faith inclusion has in the workplace. As followers of Jesus, being able to bring faith to the table is hugely important to being our whole selves. We launched chapters in India, South Africa, Brazil, Panama, France, China…all to the glory of God!
Finally, God gave me opportunity to champion the “Initiative For Freedom”, an anti-human trafficking campaign to raise awareness about modern day slavery with our employees around the world.
There is nothing special about me other than that I love Jesus and I’m obedient. It begins with our embracing where God has us. I began not liking tech. But I like the people that I knew I needed to love. And I came to love the company because I knew God had placed me there for His purpose. The corporate world is my mission field.
Looking back, I saw that over ten years, my saying yes to the job and career path God gave me has made all this possible because God uses us mightily when we would embrace where He puts us. I’m reminded of Esther in the Old Testament, who had a terrible job. But God used her position to save her people from genocide. Mordecai challenged Esther with these words:
If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will come to the Jewish people from another place, but you and your father’s family will be destroyed. Who knows, perhaps you have come to your royal position for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14)
A challenge for each of us is to reflect on where we’re placed right now. Do you like your job? Did you envision yourself at this company or with this team? Regardless of your plans, how is your heart posture for the work you’re immersed in?
When we show up with a fresh vision of the holiness that is our day jobs, God can and will do miraculous things on behalf of people.
Work is hard. The world is crazy. People need to know the love of God. We are called to be salt and light, and the great news is that light shines brightest in the darkness. Regardless of your industry and the stage of your career, you are not second class to a full-time worker or missionary. You are a minister and pastor in your own right in your organization to love people and walk through those doors to drive organizational change.
Tell us your work/mission story at info@goliveserve.org.