Have you ever wondered what it was
like for the twelve disciples to live with Jesus for the three years of his
public ministry? Think of the things that they watched him confront; seeming
uncertainty, betrayal, opposition, slander, needy people, acclamation, success,
apparent failure...the list could go on and on, because it is a list that
portrays life. I can envision that each new encounter brought with it a new
opportunity for learning and growing for the disciples.
The marketplace holds similar
opportunities for learning and growing in Christ. Just as it is to be a place
where we are to bless others, it is also to be a place where we experience
growth in our relationship with our heavenly Father.
What better place to learn to trust
in the certainty of Christ, than in the uncertainty of the workplace?
What better place to learn to rest
in the peace of Christ, than in the pressures of the workplace?
What better place to settle the
issue of the lordship of Christ, than in an arena where money and power are too
often king?
I doubt that I would have an inkling
of my own vanity and pride, were it not for the workplace – what about you?
Whatever may be occurring on the
surface of our work experiences, there are underlying spiritual issues in which
our Lord Jesus desires partner with us. Two questions that I have found
helpful over the years are: "Lord, how can I be a blessing in this
situation?" and, "How do you desire to mold me into your image
through this experience?" Since Christ is with us, we have the same
opportunity as the twelve did to learn from him on a daily basis.
Considering the amount of time that
most of us spend at work, if we are not enjoying a progressive relationship
with God at work, then we have cut Him out of a substantial portion of our
lives. We have also lost a wonderful relational opportunity to learn from Him.
Since our heavenly Father already
knows every detail of our lives, we can confidently incorporate Him into our
careers, assured in His desire for relationship with us, (Psalm 139). Paul
writes that, "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," are to be
found in Christ, (Colossians 2:3). Who wouldn't want to have all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge to assist her or him in negotiating the complexities of
the marketplace?
However, I'm not really talking
about a resource, I'm talking about a relationship. This is not about pragmatic
utility, for there are times when it is our calling to "lose", as our
culture defines loss. Life is not to be about ourselves, but about Christ and
others. We have a higher destiny and purpose than seeking to acquire the
highest position, wealth, or the most toys. Positions and resources are simply
things given in trust to the Christian to be used for Christ's glory and the
benefit of others.
The Lord Jesus desires us to know
Him in the midst of life, including life in the marketplace. He desires us to
know the same intimacy that the disciples knew who lived with Him those three
years (John 17). The marketplace can be a place of relationship with our God; a
place where we are transformed into His image.
Do you think about Jesus Christ
being with you in your vocation? What are the challenges you face in centering
your vocation in Christ? Do you have a
sense of His will and purpose for your vocation?
“Lord Jesus, please give me a sense
of your presence at work. Help me to know that you have a purpose for me in my
vocation that goes beyond a paycheck and a position. Help me to give my challenges
to you and to look to you for wisdom and understanding.”
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