Being a Light in the WorkplaceSample

Day #3 – Be the Light

We’ll get back to Rebecca in a minute – for now, I want to tell you about another colleague named Jack. Jack worked in the same office with me but was also a pastor at his church. As an employee, Jack was the worst. He wasn’t a very good demonstration of a Christian in the workplace. He didn’t do his job with excellence. He would throw people under the bus every chance he could. He lied, he cheated, he cried.

He wasn't consistent, he didn't add value, in fact, he would do whatever he could to get out of work – and everyone knew it! One day, several folks in the office overheard him talking to someone about his teaching title for the following Sunday… he was teaching on ‘Accountability’. The non-believers in the office made a mockery out of him, his church, and most importantly, God.

God did not get the glory that day… Not only was Jack inconsistent, nor did he add value, he lacked the basics like kindness, gentleness, and grace…. which leads to our next strategy: Be the Light (Choose Kindness).

When dealing with difficult people, please remember that you are the light, the salt of the Earth, you are the reflector of light that is Christ Jesus. When we live for Jesus, our light should shine brightly for all to see. The Word tells us that our light shouldn’t be dimmed.

But we diminish the light by 1) going along with the crowd, 2) not helping those in need; and 3) participating in gossip, lewd jokes, and throwing folks under the bus…

Let your speech always be with grace and kindness. Be seasoned with salt, let your speech be ‘tasty’ and encourage others to want to know the God you serve.

We can do this all day… verse after verse in the Bible will tell us the same… Be kind, peaceable, considerate, and always gentle… be the salt and the light.

When Rebecca (from our first example) started having problems around the office and when she was in her darkest moment in life, she sought the light. The same woman who questioned my intelligence, tried to take me down, blatantly disrespected anything having to do with God… (with tears in her eyes) came to me for prayer… you see when she was in her darkest moment, she went toward the light.

That’s what kindness can do; it opens the door so that you can be a vessel for Jesus. When people see you, make sure they see Jesus.

Meditate on today's scripture reading, and the following questions:

1. How does Jack's story highlight the importance of consistency and adding value in the workplace?

2. What are the specific qualities mentioned in the text that characterize a "light" or "salt" in the workplace?

3. How can the example of Rebecca's transformation inspire us to be a light in our own workplaces?