Love at WorkSample

Begin in Prayer

Devotional - Loving Others at work

We often hear 1 Corinthians 13 read in sermons or at wedding ceremonies, but have you ever considered the context of that familiar passage? It comes on the heels of Paul painting a picture of the beauty that exists when people with different strengths and weaknesses, a variety of gifts and challenges, and diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together in mutual love and honor for one another. The beauty of mutual love, service, and connection is not reserved or limited to the body or marriages.

The love chapter applies to our places of work, too. Extending patience and kindness, not being self-seeking, not holding grudges, or keeping score are practical ways of loving others at work. And the most talented employee or the most senior member of the team is still a resounding gong and clanging cymbal without love.

Loving others is not optional for those who claim to follow Jesus. That includes the people we work with.

Jesus certainly anchored himself in his Father’s love. He also made some strong statements about the centrality of loving others as an outflow of following him. He commissions his followers to love. He told his disciples to love others like he loved them. And he said that love is the evidence that we follow him. He said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Don’t misunderstand practicing love at work as being soft and weak. This is not love the emotion. This is not a feeling. This is love the verb. This is love the action. Mark’s account of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack…’” (Mark 10:21) He delivered the hard truth to the young man because he loved him.

Jesus, the leader, communicated expectations clearly, called people to a high standard, and gave difficult feedback to his followers. Jesus embodied love and, more specifically, personified unconditional love. This type of love is literally ‘making a decision to intentionally treat someone at work with love regardless of how you “feel” about that person.’”

Here are some personal behaviors that show love for others at work:

• Give people the benefit of the doubt.
• Risk getting to know your coworkers.
• Pray for your coworkers.
• Don’t interrupt them when they are speaking.
• Show appreciation to people beyond their contributions at work.

What would you add?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, as I think about loving others, I confess that sometimes I am difficult to love. Help me to live from the security of your love for me so that I may extend grace to those I work with, listen well to them, encourage them, speak truthfully to them, and hold up the mirror of belovedness to them. Amen.