Being a Light in the Workplace

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:58, 2 Peter 3:14, 1 Peter 3:15

Be Consistent

In a world full of political divides, cultural clashes, and toxic work environments, it can be challenging to maintain our mental clarity, physical wellness, and most importantly, our spiritual integrity. However, God calls us to be salt and light in every sphere of our lives, including our professional endeavors. In this reading plan, we will explore practical strategies to remain godly in the workplace, navigate challenges with grace, and uphold our Christian values amidst the demands of our careers. 

First, let me begin with a story about a colleague named Rebecca. Rebecca was mean and loved causing drama in the workplace. She would show up at my office with wild accusations and demeaning remarks. Her forte was creating conflicts between others and undermining people in the leadership team. She frequently expressed her strong political views, even when unsolicited, and would criticize those with differing beliefs. To top it off, she would question my ability to do my job almost daily. 

Think for a minute about the Rebeccas in your life or at your job. How do you deal with someone like this? As for me, even in the face of hardships, I remained consistent, steadfast, and unshakeable in my faith. I fasted, prayed, and did not let her get to me. And this leads to today’s strategy: Be Consistent. 

Be Consistent, as in be the same everywhere, all the time, with everyone. As Christians, we should be dependable and available to always do God’s will and His work. 

Remember, in Christ Jesus, we are made whole and victorious… so we must take Him everywhere we go – school, work, play, church – we must be consistently in Him to have victory over anything that comes our way, particularly in the workplace. So be in Christ when at your job, make sure that you keep Him with you at all times, and be consistent with it. No matter what you do for a living, it’s only business – so be steadfast and unmovable – in your faith, in the cross, and the power it gives you. 

I can’t say it enough – always be the same. As believers, people shouldn’t have to guess which you is going to show up from one day to the next. Consistently keep God with you, because when Christ rules your thoughts and mind, you can’t be shaken by the things the enemy may do. 

Think about it like this: how would you show up for work knowing that Christ would be there? What would you do differently? How would you treat people? 

Be consistent and trust that when you labor in the Lord, doing all things as unto God, your service to Him is not in vain. 

Because I stayed consistent and always had an answer as to my faith, Rebecca came to respect that I was who I claimed to be. I didn’t get angry when things didn’t go my way. I didn’t participate in lewd jokes around the office. I didn’t do anything that was contradictory to the Woman of God that I claimed to be. I stayed the same, and I stayed consistent. 

AND! I always had an account for my faith. Rebecca would ask, “Why do you smile so much?” Jesus! “How do you stay calm in all the craziness at the office?” Jesus! “Why are you so nice when everyone else is being jerks?” Jesus! I knew what she was doing. She was trying to trip me up. She was trying to get me to slip up, but I remained consistent, and she came to respect that. 

Meditate on today’s scripture reading, and the following questions: 

1.How can I cultivate a consistent, unwavering faith in the midst of a challenging and often hostile world? 

2.What specific actions can I take to demonstrate my faith consistently in my workplace and other environments? 

3.How can I respond to criticism, negativity, and conflict with grace and a steadfast reliance on God?

Scriptures: Colossians 3:23-24, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Ecclesiastes 9:10

Add Value

In addition to having an answer for my faith, I always had an answer regarding my work subject matter. In other words, I knew my job! I knew my craft, and I did it well. This leads to our next strategy: Add Value.

As a child of God, you have to know your worth… But you also have to know your job. Imagine if you will for a second that Jesus Christ Himself is your supervisor… that He will give you an evaluation at the end of the year. How would you work? 

I assume that as a believer in Christ, you would do the work you were assigned, and you would do it well. You would leave no rock unturned… You would do your work to the very best of your abilities because you would be working as unto the Lord… That is exactly how you should show up each day. 

God has given each of us a work to do, both in the world and in the Kingdom. And we must do it all as if we are working for God Himself. We must treat our actions at work as if they are a service to God.Everything that we do should be done with the idea that it is done for the Lord and only Him. 

Whatever your lot is in this world and in this life. Be the best at it—CEO or janitor. Whatever your functionality is at your job be the best at it as if Jesus Christ Himself was your supervisor… 

This theme is so powerful and important that the Bible mentions this several times in the Word… 

Over and again the Word tells us that everything we do in life should be done well and with the intent to honor God. We must constantly ask ourselves, “Am I glorifying God by my actions?” “How can I honor God through my actions at work?” Add Value!! Our faith can’t just be a part of our lives, but it must be everything in our lives -> including at work… 

As I mentioned, Rebecca loved coming to my office with the craziest things to say! She questioned everything, tested my level of knowledge, even questioned when I received a promotion, and she just couldn’t believe that a young woman with small children could give the job the dedication required to do the job I had at that time – but God. The more she pressed, the more she saw exactly why ‘I got the job,’ and that was because I treated every job task and assignment like I was doing it unto the Lord… Amen! 

As believers, it’s important that we add value, that we earn our keep… the world is watching the believers. If we skate by, do just enough, or barely show up at all, what does that say about the God we serve who WE say can do all things? 

Meditate on today’s scripture reading and the following questions: 

1. How can I apply the principle of “adding value” to my own work life? 

2. How does my faith inform my work ethic and dedication? 

3. What specific actions can I take to ensure that my work glorifies God?

Scriptures: Matthew 5:16, Colossians 4:6, Titus 3:1

Be the Light 

We’ll get back to Rebecca in a minute – for now, I want to tell you about another colleague named Jack. Jack worked in the same office with me but was also a pastor at his church. As an employee, Jack was the worst. He wasn’t a very good demonstration of a Christian in the workplace. He didn’t do his job with excellence. He would throw people under the bus every chance he could. He lied, he cheated, he cried.

He wasn’t consistent, he didn’t add value, in fact, he would do whatever he could to get out of work – and everyone knew it! One day, several folks in the office overheard him talking to someone about his teaching title for the following Sunday… he was teaching on ‘Accountability’. The non-believers in the office made a mockery out of him, his church, and most importantly, God. 

God did not get the glory that day… Not only was Jack inconsistent, nor did he add value, he lacked the basics like kindness, gentleness, and grace…. which leads to our next strategy: Be the Light (Choose Kindness). 

When dealing with difficult people, please remember that you are the light, the salt of the Earth, you are the reflector of light that is Christ Jesus. When we live for Jesus, our light should shine brightly for all to see. The Word tells us that our light shouldn’t be dimmed. 

But we diminish the light by 1) going along with the crowd, 2) not helping those in need; and 3) participating in gossip, lewd jokes, and throwing folks under the bus… 

Let your speech always be with grace and kindness. Be seasoned with salt, let your speech be ‘tasty’ and encourage others to want to know the God you serve. 

We can do this all day… verse after verse in the Bible will tell us the same… Be kind, peaceable, considerate, and always gentle… be the salt and the light. 

When Rebecca (from our first example) started having problems around the office and when she was in her darkest moment in life, she sought the light. The same woman who questioned my intelligence, tried to take me down, blatantly disrespected anything having to do with God… (with tears in her eyes) came to me for prayer… you see when she was in her darkest moment, she went toward the light. 

That’s what kindness can do; it opens the door so that you can be a vessel for Jesus. When people see you, make sure they see Jesus. 

Meditate on today’s scripture reading, and the following questions: 

1. How does Jack’s story highlight the importance of consistency and adding value in the workplace? 

2. What are the specific qualities mentioned in the text that characterize a “light” or “salt” in the workplace? 

3. How can the example of Rebecca’s transformation inspire us to be a light in our own workplaces?

Scripture: Daniel 6

Putting it All Together 

As we conclude this reading plan, I’m reminded of Daniel, who, when put to the test at work, walked with God and was favored accordingly. 

Daniel held a very important position during the reign of King Darius. He was one of three trusted advisors. One day, the King decided to put Daniel in charge of everyone, and Daniel’s fellow advisors did not like that. 

His colleagues were envious of Daniel and devised a plan to get rid of him. They influenced King Darius to make a new law requiring people to worship and pray to only the king. Anyone who worshipped or prayed to other gods would be thrown into a den of lions. 

Daniel was aware of the new law, but had committed to his mind that he would not bow down to or praise any other than His Lord, the God of Israel. The other men brought accusations against Daniel to King Darius, and he was thrown into the lion’s den. 

But the story doesn’t stop there because Daniel was consistent, he added value, and he was the light… 

Consistent: Daniel remained consistent in his principles from the early days of his career. When faced with the choice of consuming meat and drink that had been offered to idols, he and his friends refused to defile themselves in that manner. Daniel remained steadfast in his beliefs and was able to find a solution that allowed him to uphold his convictions while also fulfilling the demands of his job. 

Add Value: Daniel’s work product was impeccable because he consistently added value. His integrity made him stand out at work, and he was promoted accordingly. His success was shaped by his faith in God and life’s experiences. When his competitors tried to eliminate him from the promotion opportunity, his track record spoke for itself, and their underhanded ways to undermine his reputation and faith were to no avail. 

Be the Light: After enduring a night with lions, when Daniel emerged unscathed, he exclaimed, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:21-22 NLT). His attitude showed his happiness in sharing the goodness of his Lord, who spared his life. His radiant spirit led the King to decree that everyone in the land would worship Daniel’s God. Selah! 

Be like Daniel, ask yourself these questions:

1. Are you compromising any part of what you believe in your work? 

2. Does your integrity and work ethic speak for itself? 

3. When people see you at work, do they see Jesus?