Have any of you experienced the dread that comes along with Sunday evenings knowing that tomorrow is Monday and the workweek starts again? Another week at the office keeping us from spending time with loved ones and the weekend. I think that one of the easiest traps we can fall into as believers is viewing the world, and the activities we partake in, as being secular versus sacred. But what does the bible say about this? In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
What if instead of viewing work as something necessary to pay the bills and feed our families, we viewed work as worship? It’s not hard for us to understand how those who travel overseas to spread to God’s love and message to the world are missionaries. But what if I were to tell you that our workplaces are our mission fields, and each one of us missionaries? After all, we spend the majority of our adult lives at work, and have been given unique talents from God for the different jobs that we do. Ephesians 2:10 states, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Through the gifting of these unique talents, God has placed us in areas where we can be a beacon of hope to those around us.
I have the privilege of working in the healthcare field and come into contact with many strangers who would never step foot inside a church. Often times, the people I interact with are going through times of suffering and are extremely vulnerable. What a special time to show them God’s love and soul-healing message! Many times people are ungrateful for what those in healthcare do for them and it is common for workers to have a jaded perspective on those they interact with. But being a believer in Christ and knowing the inherent value that every person has being made in His image makes it easier to treat others with compassion and dignity. We are called to do our very best work in all things as Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
I would like to challenge you all, as I challenge myself, to strive for more at work.
If we begin to view our work as a form of worship, would our co-workers and those we interact with notice? If we have joy in our hearts and give God glory for all that he has given us, how could we not be set apart from the world? Ultimately, this is what I believe to be one of our greatest evangelistic tools that enable us to have powerful, intentional conversations with those around us. Hopefully, Sunday evenings won’t be filled with feelings of wonderment at where the weekend went, but instead, feelings of courage and hope as we go out into our personal mission fields as we use our work as a form of worship.
Excellent point!