“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:13-16)
I got to know Jack in the office five years ago. I always enjoyed discussing work issues with him as he was always patient and willing to listen to my views before working together to find a solution we could all live and work with. It did not take me long to find out that we share a common bond as fellow brothers-in-Christ. One day, Jack asked me if I would like to be a helper in the ALPHA course that he was involved in. I was a bit apprehensive as I was not trained and it was held during lunch-time for fellow colleagues. I asked who else was attending, prayed about it and was convicted that it was a good platform for me to witness about God’s love to my fellow colleagues.
So I joined the course and got to know a group of brothers and sisters who were passionate about sharing Christ and living the gospel in the workplace. Little did I know that it was just the start of a journey and network. I soon got connected to other brothers and sisters who were involved in similar workplace ministries in Singapore, and then globally, through the Global Day of Prayer. It was also exciting to hear what God was doing in the lives of colleagues in other countries that really encouraged us to continue in the work we were doing (Heb 10:24-25).
My view of what it means to be a Christian in the workplace has really been transformed as I mature as a Christian and an employee. In the early years my focus was on building up technical knowledge and credibility. At the same time, my Christian peers and I who had just started work were also grappling with the question about how work fits into our Christian lives. There was a time where I thought that being a witness in the workplace meant exhibiting “Christian” characteristics like helpfulness, honesty and integrity in the way I do my business. Lately I have learned that it is all that and more.
We are here for a reason (Matt 5:13-16)
God has put us in our positions and locations for a reason. Sure, we have a role to play, a job to do and an obligation to do all these to the best of our God-given ability. While doing all these, we are to be salt and light to those around us and lead them to Christ. First, we need to be convinced that this is important and then the Lord will open our eyes to opportunities that are available in our various situations.
Faith (Heb 11:8-10)
When the opportunity presents itself, there may be doubts as to whether it is the right one and should we do it. We need to take time to pray for God‘s wisdom to guide us in our decision and the steps to take. There will be unknowns, difficulties and even opposition. We need to be aware of the dangers and pitfalls and go by faith if it is the direction God is leading us to. After all, for Abraham, the promised land was once a foreign land that was strange and dangerous to him (Heb 11:8-10). But he went by faith.
Identify with Christ (1 Pet 3:15-16)
Once we have started the journey of faith with the Lord, we need to continue by openly identifying with Christ and to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have”. It should get easier but it still needs faith. There will be opportunities for us to share with our fellow friends and colleagues about our faith, how we spend our time and how we have been blessed. We should heed the advice of the apostle Peter and do it with gentleness and respect.
May the LORD help us to be the Salt and Light wherever He has placed us.
By Tay Yong Thai, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 22&23 June 2013)