THREE KEYS TO SHARING CHRIST AT WORK

Markee’s story illustrates three keys that can help us share Christ at work and sustain it. As followers of Christ, we are commissioned to share God’s love wherever we go. So sharing Christ at work makes sense because that’s where many of us go on most of our days. But in reality, we tend not to think much about our God-given mission on a daily basis. We don’t consider ourselves to be serving God in our home country the same way as missionaries, tentmakers or Christian workers serving God overseas. 

Moreover, obstacles to sharing our Christian faith in the workplace loom large in our mind though we live in a relatively free part of the world where religious rights are protected. Would we offend people that we work closely with if we speak up for Christ? Would we lose out or be siloed at work because of our Christian beliefs? What if we don’t live up to others’ expectations of a Christian?

Key 1: Be Open to God in Our Own Life

Thus, many believers hold the view that work and mission are separate compartments in life. We do our work responsibly, serve at church, and support people who make missions their career. But that view isn’t compatible with the fact that we as God’s children are all called to be witnesses whether we’re near or far from home. How can we be obedient to His calling? And how can we sustain a lifestyle of focusing on His mission for us?

We can seek God in prayer before we embark on a job or career. But even if we are past that stage, doesn’t God know our situation when He called each of us to be part of His family? The Apostle Paul exhorted believers to serve God in their existing circumstances whether they are single or married, slave or free.

So the first key to a lifestyle of mission is simply to be open to God wherever we are. Rather than focusing on our own needs, which God promised to provide for those who seek Him first, what if we focus on how to use our work skills to serve Him? More importantly, what about praying for becoming more like Christ at our workplace? What can’t God do with an open heart to seek and serve Him?

Key 2: Love People the Way Jesus Did

When we become more open to God and regularly seek His guidance, we become more sensitive to the work of His Spirit in our midst and often recognize more opportunities to be His ambassadors. Just as Markee began to excel in her work in the technology field, she also began to realize how the people around her are in need of Christ. She started to cultivate the compassion that Jesus had for the people around him, lost and hopeless like sheep without a shepherd.

So the second key is to see people as God does. Though we might be in different life stages, and work in different professions and industries, loving people is part of loving God and following His Great Commandment. So why might God have put you, His representative, where you are now? How can you see your workplace as God’s mission field for you?

As it was for Markee, working out your mission may mean carrying on deeper conversations with your colleagues. Caring for the people around her became her mission. Sharing what God has done in her life with others brought her joy, too. In fact, God gives each of us unique experiences and opportunities to share about Him that no one else can do in exactly the same way!

Key 3: Embrace Your Work as Mission 

All of us can use our influence in the workplace to bring more people to the feet of Jesus. The third key is to realize the possibilities that God has given to you to serve him through your daily work. Markee’s story is an illustration of Work for Mission: her career choice in technology helped her to reach other technology workers for Christ. But her story is also an illustration of Work as Mission: her skills and environment are essential for her mission.

The love of God was showcased through her work and was communicated through her personal witness. Her work in technology and witness as a Christian together express who she is. Her role in the workplace gives expression to her vocation and calling as an ambassador for Christ. For Markee, her work has become and is her mission.

Moreover, our workplaces today often include people from all over the world with diverse education and religious backgrounds. Large corporations may have branches in many countries with occasions for business travel. Regardless of size and location, each employer offers unique opportunities for God’s servants to reach those, either in person or virtually, that our church may not be able to reach.

So don’t miss out on why God has placed you where you are! Be open and say yes to God and see what He will do. Be there to listen to your workmates and share with them your experiences of God. Finally, embrace the work and opportunities that God has given to you at this time and be the best steward of those resources that you can be!

We would love to hear what helps you to sustain a missional lifestyle at work at info@goliveserve.org!