Workplace faith

I didn't always work in a church environment, but even while I do, I know that I should be working as for God and not man. When enduring a job I really didn't like, and trying to please a supervisor I also was not fond of, I struggled. Everything seemed so pointless -- except for the paycheck at the end of the week. It was that bit of compensation that made me get up on Monday morning and do it all over again for one more week.

When I relive that season, I am so disappointed that I didn't have a deep relationship with Jesus. What a difference that might have made. Just maybe my attitude would have been good and just maybe my actions would have made a kingdom difference. But, fast forward a few years when I owned my own business, and I had the opportunity to share my faith.  It was early in my walk, but just maybe I was be a little bit of salt and light to my crews.

You might think that working in a church provides numerous opportunity to share my faith in the workplace.  You would be right.  But, it isn't any easier because I still should be willing to go the extra mile. I have to come to work prayed up and in the right frame of mind.  I must have my eyes and my heart wide open and often I must be ready to change my calendar at a moment's notice to take that extra step and reach out.

Isn't it the same for you? No matter where you spend your day: the workplace, the neighborhood, the retirement center, the church; we all have opportunity to make a difference.

Colossians 3:23-4:6

Matthew 13:1-9

This is an interesting parable Jesus is sharing; telling the people about a farmer who is spreading the seed like all farmers do, and explaining about what happens to this seed.  It is the farmers calling to cast the seed onto the ground, but he knows that not every kernel will fall on the soil that has been prepared ahead of time.  Not every grain will germinate and take root.

Some of the seeds will be blown by the wind onto the rocky soil where it will take root quickly, then die.  Others will fall onto very shallow dirt where the sun will burn the seedling before it can grow strong. Still others will land on the path where birds will eat them.  But, some will fall on the fertile land that has been prepared in advance to accommodate the seed and to nurture and grow it up strong and study for the harvest. 

"Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (Matthew 13:8-9)

Spreading the Good News of Jesus is our God given calling.  We are responsible to tell people about Jesus and the difference He has made in our lives.  We are to be Salt and Light in a dark world by pointing to Jesus as our preservative and our illumination.  We are not accountable for these people listening or believing.  No, that is the job of the Holy Spirit. Now doesn't that take the fear out of evangelism?

Read the selected text, Matthew 13:1-9, here.  Listen to an audio version here.

Salt and Light - Matthew 5:13-20

What breaks your heart?  Is it the daily news headlines touting the recent escapades of a spoiled starlet or the latest Dow Jones dip? Has there been word of another child-abduction, or perhaps someone you dearly love has been diagnosed with an incurable illness?

“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." (Matthew 5:13-15)

When your heart is broken by the antics of this world--lost job, house foreclosure or broken relationship, we are still called to be salt of the earth.  When tears fall because a loved one has died or a natural disaster as ravished a part of our world, we are still called to be light to everyone. That is a tall order, don't you agree?  How can we be salt and add flavor and bring out the best flavor when we too are broken?  How do we light someone else's path we can't see find own way in this dark world?

Scripture says don't put it under a bowl; don't hide the fact that Jesus remains your salt and your light no matter what happens to you or to those you love.  Stay close to Him, pray, read the Word and let those in your little corner of the world surround you with their salt and light until you can.

Read the Matthew 5:13-20 text here.