Is Jesus The King In Your Workplace?
LENT 2024 | DAY 28
Mark 11:1-11 (NIV)
(Cheryl Seow, President, Women’s Society Of Christian Service)
The crowd who witnessed Jesus triumphantly riding into Jerusalem on a colt, shouting praises in acknowledgement that Jesus was indeed the King and Messiah, were the very same people a few days later who would bow to political pressure and call for his crucifixion. This has made me wonder and reflect on whether I had ever acted like the crowd: praise God during Sunday church service, and then forget about Him or even deny him during work hours because it was simply “politically incorrect” or “inconvenient”.
While I had been a Christian since youth, I unfortunately do not recall sharing with colleagues that I was a Christian and details about my faith, especially in the early stages of my career. I was probably fearful of being “cancelled” (although in the early 2000s, the term had yet to be coined!) by senior colleagues and peers who were of the view that the workplace should be secular.
By God’s grace, in the past decade or so, I have managed to hold steadfast to my faith, to boldly declare and share about my faith with colleagues, and ex-colleagues whom I have kept in touch with. In recent years, as a Christian in the workplace (and indeed in any setting), I have often felt the Holy Spirit’s prompting and reminder that my duty is to sow seeds of faith with the people I work with. Thus, how I live out my faith as a Christian is so important. This includes how I treat all colleagues, and my attitude and behaviour, especially in dealing with challenging situations. I do not wish to appear to be a stumbling block to anyone, whether they are believers or otherwise.
Admittedly, it has not been easy to do so. Long working hours, office politics, managing stakeholders and a team of colleagues, and having to handle difficult situations present various challenges. What has kept me grounded on my purpose as a Christian in the workplace in the face of such hurdles, is my daily walk with Jesus. He speaks to me daily through my reading of the Bible, daily devotions and prayers, and is my Great Navigator who has and continues to guide me through not only my career path, but this journey on earth. And for that, I am truly blessed and thankful.
DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. Have you found it difficult to profess and share your faith in the workplace? If so, why?
2. Have you worked with, or encountered other Christians in the workplace who had acted in a way that stumbled your faith? If so, how did you handle the situation?
3. What do you think is God’s purpose for you in the workplace?
