Новые времена Go back to the homepage Approval of the work of our hands How would you rate your job? Is it one of the best you've ever had? Perhaps it suits you now, but serves as a stepping stone to where you'd really like to take your career in the future? Are you actively looking for better opportunities? Or are you in a situation where you feel stuck and have to just get out of bed and go to work on a daily basis? Most of us have probably found ourselves in two or three situations like this at least once. Even the best job, we must admit, is not perfect. The "perfect job" will still have elements that we would like to change; whenever dealing with others, there will be problems. The question is how we handle our present job: do we want to go to it joyfully every day or not? This is especially important for those who follow Jesus, recognizing that we are called to be "ambassadors for Christ" as 2 Corinthians 5:20 says about us. Are we differentiating ourselves by reflecting the light of Christ to our employers, coworkers, customers, and others we encounter every day, or are we like co-workers who grumble and complain throughout the day? In Psalm 89:17 we read this compelling request, "…and let the pleasure of the Lord our God be upon us, and in the work of our hands thou shalt prosper us, in the work of our hands thou shalt prosper us." There may be times when we eagerly seek other employment opportunities, but as someone pointed out, God expects us to serve and represent Him where we are – after all, we can't serve and represent Him where we are not. How do we reconcile our current work situation – good or bad – with our calling to be disciples of Jesus Christ wherever we go? Here are some principles from Scripture that may help. We must approach our work with peace and gratitude. When we handle difficult situations with dignity and joy, others will notice. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body, and be friendly…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks through him to God and the Father" (Colossians 3:15, 17). We must manifest the light of Christ both through our work and through our words. In a world ruled by darkness and evil, our faith in the Lord will shine even brighter. "You are the light of the world. A city standing on top of a mountain cannot hide. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14, 16). We must reflect the presence of Christ through our pursuit of excellence. Everything God does is very good. As His children, we should strive to do the same. "Have you seen a man nimble in his work? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before the simple" (Proverbs 22:29). We should be known for our honesty and integrity. In a work environment where there is so much compromise, we can stand out by our commitment to be honest and uphold integrity in all our dealings. "Faithful scales and weighty bowls are of the Lord; from Him are all the weights in the purse" (Proverbs 16:11). "The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the guile of the crafty shall destroy them" (Proverbs 11:3). © 2024. Robert J. Tamasi has written Marketplace Ambassadors: the continuing legacy of CBMC evangelism and discipleship; Business at its Best: timeless wisdom from Proverbs for today's workplace; In Search of Life with a Shepherd's Heart, co-authored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, co-authored with David A. Stoddard. Bob's bi-weekly blog: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com Questions for reflection/discussion The text describes four different scenarios, from loving your job to feeling stuck in situations we face every day. Describe your current circumstances and how you deal with them. What do you think of the psalmist's request to God: "…in the work of our hands thou shalt prosper us"? In another translation it is translated "confirm the work of our hands. It is if God Himself is saying, "Trust Me. You are exactly where I want you to be. At least for the moment." Do you feel this is true for you? Explain your answer. Imagine that you are on trial and someone accuses you of being a "messenger of Christ". Do you think there would be enough evidence to convict you? Why yes or why no? We are commanded, "Let your light so shine before men" so that others will notice and ultimately glorify God. What do you think this means in practical, everyday life? What does it look like? NOTES. If you have a Bible and want to read more, consider the following passages: Proverbs 17:27, 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Colossians 3:23-24. Difficult task Seeking to serve and effectively represent Jesus Christ in a secular, often godless workplace can seem like an overwhelming challenge to overcome alone. We can't accomplish this on our own – and God doesn't expect us to. If you want to be known at work as someone who lives for Jesus, you will find it easier to find others for mutual support and encouragement. You can currently belong to a CBMC group – a Connect 3 team, a young professionals group, or a trusted counselors group. Here you may be able to find the help you need. If not, pray about becoming part of a group of like-minded people committed to serving Christ in the community.
