Ways To Express My Faith In The Workplace
LENT 2024 | DAY 32
Mark 13:1-13 (NIV)
(Tho Lye Sam, Chairperson, Lay Personnel Committee)
In a world marred by conflicts, wars and natural disasters, the passage guides me to face these realities without alarm but be aware of the signs of the end times. It steers me away from fixating on predictions, urging instead a discerning mindset. While the timing remains unknown, it urges me to be on guard and spiritually prepared for whatever may come as the end draws nearer.
How can I be spiritually prepared for the end times? For me, reading the scriptures regularly, meditating on His words, and spending time in prayer – all of these contribute to strengthening my faith. Equally important to me is being part of a community of believers, like a small group or a discipleship class. In these settings, we delve into the scriptures, discuss, learn and grow together in our discipleship journey. The support, encouragement, guidance, and prayers from these communities serve as my pillars during challenging and testing times.
God also tells me to share the gospel, and to make it a priority. The passage eases my worries about expressing myself, urging me to speak authentically and trust in the Holy Spirit’s guidance. A transformation lesson was revealed to me a decade ago when, desperate for my dying father’s salvation, I sought help from Pastor Philip. He said, “Don’t preach to him, just show him your love.” Following this heartfelt advice, it led to a miracle and the showing of God’s grace. In his final weeks, my father, against the resistance of my mother, accepted Christ and was baptised.
This experience instilled in me diverse approaches to sharing the good news—by faith, with love, through actions, and by words. Integrating these learnings into sharing the gospel at the workplace is an area where I haven’t done much, but it’s something I ought to prioritise. Acts of kindness, sharing personal testimonies, quoting verses for encouragement, extending invitations to Alpha or church events, and offering prayers are ways through which I could express my faith in the workplace.
I pray for God’s guidance and provision, not only for my own readiness, but also for a compassionate heart towards the lost. May He empower me to actively reach out to them, with the trust that they will come to know Jesus as their Saviour.
DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. What does Jesus say about God’s work (sharing the good news; verse 10) in the midst of war and conflicts?
2. What are you doing about sharing the Gospel with others, especially those in your workplace?
3. How do you feel about Jesus’ second coming? How are you preparing for His return?
