Learning to Be a Signpost at Work
In July this year I attended our church’s Berean series, with one of the sessions touching on being a clear signpost, a disciple and witness for Christ at work. Since then, it has changed the way I viewed my purpose at work and has made me more sensitive to God’s hand at work in the marketplace.
Firstly, our purpose is to be Christ-like no matter where we are called to be, through the different seasons in life. But I am guilty of forgetting this, especially in the workplace when tasks are pressing, and interpersonal relationships are tested. Many days I catch myself having a complaining spirit or having a hopeless resignation to the status quo like many others who are living without hope. But I am reminded that as children of God, we serve Him and not men. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23 – 24). Therefore, I need to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phi 1:27), so that I can point people to Christ.
Next, the session also touched on the ‘4 simple things’ that one can do at the workplace – 1. Pray faithfully, 2. Connect relationally, 3. Love practically, and 4. Share boldly. Chit-chatting with colleagues has always been quite easy for me, but I struggle with bridging the gap between simply talking, to sharing about my faith. Plus, I work in a rather liberal workplace environment so I was sceptical that anything would happen when I decided to start with the first ‘simple thing’ – prayer. I prayed that God would help me to be a good signpost, that I would be sensitive to opportunities. I wrote down the ‘4 simple things’ on the first page of my work notebook, where I noted down my other tasks, as a reminder of the spiritual “work” that I set out to do.
And in the past few months, I think I have spoken about my faith more times than in the past five plus years I have been with the company. I have had many opportunities to share about different aspects of Christianity, despite never being the first to bring it into the conversation. Sadly, I did not increase in boldness. In fact I still get a bit nervous when colleagues ask or talk about Christianity. But by God’s sufficient grace, His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9). God has also opened my eyes to the different needs of people at the workplace, and I am still learning to listen and be present when they have something personal to share and to avail myself to help practically.
If you have not started, I hope this encourages you to start praying for open doors wherever you are – work, school, out in public even. What we do may not seem significant now, but we know that God will grow the seed that is planted and watered in faith.
By sister Carol Yue