Many of us spend the most of our time at work. If you’re not happy in your work, it can be really upsetting and frustrating. All that negative energy will accumulate somewhere and one day, when it becomes too much to contain, it will explode with a huge bang.

Do you know that you’ve been called there where you work? Do you know that you’ve been called to make a difference there? Do you know that you were placed there to be God’s agent?

It’s not always moonshine and roses in a workplace. Sometimes we struggle with people, sometimes with equipment, cash flow, clients, whatever. Sometimes you want to run away. Then there is this one thing that we need to hold onto: God has put you there. He wants to use you to make a difference in the life of each and every person you come into contact with.

Can I ask again: Do you know that you’ve been called by God Almighty to make a difference there where you are in one of the senior positions or where you are in a subordinate position to someone else?

This must be our starting point: ²²Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by…

We must be that one person to whom the owners will entrust their keys. We must be the employees who can always be depended upon. Our bosses must know that we are the ones who keep on smiling through thick and thin and who will not mind working late to get things done.

Maybe we should raise our sights a little and realise that we are not simply working for a boss or the salary cheque at the end of the month. Yes, it is rather important to have money at the end of the month to live on, but this is not the primary reason why we work.

²³Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. We actually work to glorify God’s name. We work to please God by doing what He wants us to do.

Your job looks a little different from this perspective, doesn’t it?

Maybe this will make it clearer why it sometimes doesn’t go well. Maybe this will make you realise that when you struggle, you grow stronger or are being tested. Sometimes you are pushed into the hot fire so that you can be shaped like iron to make you stronger.

Sometimes, it’s really hard and then you realise it’s the devil who wants to get you away from there because with the help of the Holy Spirit you are overcoming the devil right there in your workplace.

Does this mean that you have to keep quiet when you are treated unjustly simply because your work is your calling? Certainly not! God does not expect us to be a punching bag for somebody else. God least expect us to be exploited. Injustice must be addressed. God expects us to ensure that nobody tramples on us and that we will stand up for what is right and just.

However, it’s not always so easy. So, I suggest that you consider carefully and take the Holy Spirit’s hand so that you can act with wisdom in your workplace.

May your place of work be different, because you are committed to serving God.

Scripture

Colossians3:18-25

Reflection

What is your calling?

What do you have to do at your work?

How can you walk with the Holy Spirit at work?

Prayer

Father, thank you for my work. I now realise that my work is my calling. You call me to make a difference at my workplace. I struggle, because I’m afraid to do it. Please help me. Amen.