Many Christians think that our jobs get in the way of what could
otherwise be a really great life, but actually the workplace can be
a real blessing. God uses it to build some much needed maturity in
us.
”
How?
”
you ask? Well, let’s consider two ways God transforms our jobs
into
”
boot camps
”
to get us (and keep us) in spiritual shape.
Many Christians think that our jobs get in the way of what could otherwise be a really great life, but actually the workplace can be a real blessing. God uses it to build some much needed maturity in us. “How?” you ask? Well, let’s consider two ways God transforms our jobs into “boot camps” to get us (and keep us) in spiritual shape.
One valuable way God uses your workplace is to teach you responsibility (which can be defined as doing something you need to do even when you don’t want to do it). It stretches you and causes growth when you are given responsibility.
Another way God grows you through your job is by using the people at your workplace to build character in you. The biggest problems on the job are usually people problems (personality clashes, ego battles, etc.). Would you agree that at work you have to deal with all kinds of strange people? How many of the common types of people can you put names to from your workplace:
people for whom it is “my way or the highway,” using threats and intimidation to get their way.
n people who constantly talk and always have an opinion on everything (including subjects they know little about).
people who see the dark side of everything.
people with volcanic tempers (you never quite know when they will blow up).
n people who are overly sensitive and use pity and guilt to manipulate those around them
people who are unpleasable perfectionists for whom nothing is ever good enough.
people who ignore instructions and rules and everything but their own desires.
n people who, like the proverbial snake in the grass, lie in wait for someone to make a mistake so they can report that person, looking at everyone else as the enemy, a barrier between them and a promotion.
Have I described any of your fellow employees? It may surprise you to know that God deliberately allows people around you at work to irritate you. They are kind of like “heavenly sandpaper” to sand off your rough edges and make you more Christ-like.
A bottom-line truth that many of us need to realize is that God is much more interested in our character than in our comfort. And He develops our character via the fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control). One way He produces these in your life is by allowing you to work in the exact opposite situations!
Lets apply some of those aspects of spiritual fruit to your workplace:
God teaches you love by putting some very unloving people around you (it’s easy to love those who are loving toward you, but you need strength of character to love those who are manipulative and abusive).
He teaches you peace by allowing your workplace to be chaotic (it’s easy to be at peace in a beautiful garden, but it takes strength of character to be peaceful in the midst of dissension and strife).
He teaches you patience by giving you an obnoxious, irritating boss or traffic jams on way to work or delays in your schedule.
He teaches you faith by putting you in situations where you must take risks.
He teaches you goodness by bringing some ethical decisions into your life; He may allow you to have a boss who is unethical and desires you to be the same way.
He teaches you gentleness by allowing you to be criticized, giving you an opportunity to forgive.
He teaches you self-control by putting you in places where you have no supervision.
These are just a few examples of how God develops the fruit of the Spirit in the lives of Christians. And remember, it takes time for fruit to ripen. All of us have tasted fruit picked green; it tastes nothing like vine-ripened. Good fruit develops slowly; so does a Christ-like character.
Henry Harris is lead pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, 330 Tres Pinos Rd. in Hollister. If you have questions or comments, please visit the church Web site at www.rollinghillsfamily.com, e-mail pa*********@****************ly.com or phone (831) 636-5353.
