Your Workplace…
Does it ever get stressful?
Do you ever find it frustrating?
Are the situations you experience there unfair?
Certainly your workplace has some significant challenges. And yet, it is where God has placed you right now. He might move you somewhere different tomorrow, but for today… He has you in your current situation. And wherever He has placed you, there are people there that need you to serve them.
That isn’t always a cheerful thought, because we would prefer that someone serve us. But as a follower of Christ, you are called to be a servant… even to those rascals you work with!
“In the Workplace, believers are given an opportunity through the gospel to serve in several different directions—upward, downward, and laterally.”
“Serving upward means consistently working hard, knowing you ultimately work for the Lord. Believers should be the best employees on the job because they realize their work is truly done for God’s glory. Serving one’s supervisor well is a means of serving Christ Well. And if a believer works for another believer, he should serve that person even better.” (see 1 Tim. 6:1—2 & Col. 3:23-24).
“Believers Who are supervising others are given the opportunity to serve downward. By treating employees well and fairly, calling out the best of their gifts, the supervisor honors his or her ultimate Boss in heaven, who sees everything that’s done on the job…and who is not impressed with the lines and boxes on the org chart.” (see Col. 4:1).
“Most believers are also given the opportunity to serve laterally, assisting the colleagues who work alongside them. Because of the gospel, believers should encourage and serve these who are equal to them in responsibility, without being a burden to them, without being the slouch at the office who must continually be bailed out by others. One of the best ways a believer serves those who work alongside him is just to do his job well. That alone is more spiritual and gospel-centric than many people realize.” (see 1 Thess. 4:11-12).
You have the opportunity today to be a Workplace Pastor to the people who serve above you, below you, and beside you. How will you use that opportunity?
Why do we find it so hard to embrace this role of Workplace Pastor to serve those around us?
(Quotes from ‘Creature of the Word’ by Matt Chandler)