26th May 2006

Finding God at your j-o-b
Turning your workplace into a place to worship God
by Katie Brazelton and Kathryn McColskey

You wonder, "Doesn't God have more planned for me than this job?" as day after hopeless day drags by and you return to a career or household duty that is difficult and unsatisfying. The answer to that question is definitely yes. Scripture records Jesus as saying, "I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance." (John 10:10b hcsb) So how do you find God's abundance - his best for you - in your workplace (whether that is an office or your home) when you have negative feelings about the situation?
College students were asked, "How can you find God in a workplace?" One student laughingly reported, "Oh, I guess you have to work in a church!" Another sighed and shook his head saying, "Only by rejoicing that the job is temporary and that one day you'll be in a better place." The final reply was classic: "That's easy. Just enjoy God's sense of humor in the personalities and noses he created."

Sure, there are numerous creative ways to notice God while we work especially by listening for the testimonies of changed lives in co-workers or watching for actions that demonstrate Christian behavior, such as a bowed head before a meal. But how do you come face-to-face with God in the privacy of your own heart, when you are not able to "whistle while you work"? How can you experience an on-the-job God, who can transport you to a life of abundance, even if you never leave your current job site? There are several practical things you can do starting today.

By the way, both of us have lived and breathed every word we are putting forth as advice to you. Collectively, we've either scrubbed toilets and marble floors for rich women, waited tables for rude customers, cringed at the verbal abuse of arrogant bosses, packed/shipped snowboard hats for struggling entrepreneurs, made cold calls for small business owners, or nursed children with chicken pox back to health. These examples are just to give you a glimpse of some of our own fun moments in our workplaces.

We have survived at times with only a smidgen of holiness left, and we have done these assignments without any gracefulness whatsoever. But for whatever it's worth, here are a few things we've learned along the way:

Acknowledge
Acknowledge that God is in control of the universe. "The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath: 'It will all happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes.'" (Isaiah 14:24 nlt) And, remember that, not only does God have a plan for the world, but he also has a plan for your life. As Jeremiah 29:11 tells us: "I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for." (MSG) You may not like your current job, but if you can acknowledge that our sovereign God is at work in the world and in you, then you will realize that he can use your current experience to help you grow spiritually. He may be trying to teach you patience, humility, perseverance, empathy, generosity, honesty, or obedience. Acknowledge that God can also use this time to reveal progressively to you what more engaging purpose he has for you in his good timing - when the people he is sending you to serve are ready for you! As you do your job today without giving up your hopes and dreams for the future, you will begin to experience a peace that is beyond understanding. Peace is a distinctive gift of the abundant life Jesus came to offer you.

Dedicate
Dedicate each day of work to God. When you change a dirty diaper, get the millionth cup of coffee for an unappreciative boss, clean up a co-workers' chaos, or appease a difficult customer, do it as an act of worship to God. Your present job may be for a short time or for what seems like an eternity, but live each day dedicated to the King of the Universe, your ultimate boss. Christians are instructed in I Peter 4:11: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV) By dedicating everything you do to God's glory, you will begin to develop a sense of gratitude for all he has done for you. And that's one of the great blessings of the abundant life that Jesus offers you.

Trust
Trust your daily schedule to God and allow him to prioritize your to-do list. In a day that has too much to accomplish and too many stressors, you must decide which task needs to be accomplished first. Because you do not know the future, rank ordering your to-do list is an educated guess at best, but for God who does know the future, it's an easy task. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, "Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." (MSG) Spend time with God each day and claim his promise to direct your path. Ask him to show you his way. God promised us, "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" (Isaiah 30:21 niv) God will direct your path, specifying which task you are to do next, through quiet whispers that leave strong impressions on your heart. Trust his way and you will begin to develop assurance and confidence. Both are characteristics of the abundant life Jesus promised you.

Serve
Serve God daily by being a servant to those around you in the workplace. Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and then told them, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:15 niv) He even promises, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:17 niv) Ask God to create within you a heart to serve others in his name, and then look for opportunities to serve others lovingly without their asking. Acts of service can be as simple as sorting the mail, holding open a door, carrying a package, or picking up a dropped object. An act of service could be acknowledging a job well done, e-mailing a note of encouragement, or listening to someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. With service comes joy, a significant quality of the abundant life Jesus desires for you.

When asked, "How was your day?" how will you respond? Rather than testifying to your miseries, testify to the abundant blessings of God in your life. Remember to acknowledge that he is sovereign, dedicate each day to him, trust your schedule to him, and look for opportunities to serve. God is faithfully assisting you to live each day well. He wants to fill your life with peace, gratitude, assurance, confidence, joy, and hope for the future.

Psalms 150:6 states: "Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)" (AMP) As you share how God is working in your life to bless you and faithfully direct you, you will be testifying to the abundant life found only in Jesus and that is somethin' to shout about - even at a ho-hum j-o-b!