2 Gospel-Centered Hopes for Your Work
Apparently, there was a Christian on the Titanic. Recently, I was reading a biography about John Harper in a “Brave Heroes” book from the TCC’s Kid’s library and was shocked to hear for the first time how “when one man rudely rebuffed him (for praying and telling others about Jesus), Harper gave him his own life vest, saying, ‘You need this more than I do.’”
My work at Ford Motor Company as an engineer pales in comparison to the sadness and loss of the Titanic but it often feels like a sinking ship. There have been multiple layoffs, retirements, reorganizations, and deaths of current and past co-workers. Many are afraid of losing their jobs, overworked, and overwhelmed because of a lack of back-fills and so much to do. There is also great sadness when we learn of yet another death. What’s the point? Why would anyone stay in a position with such high stress and little benefit or future? Where is there any hope when it just feels like another Monday morning drudgery and people are just trying to make it to the weekend?
Praise God for Jesus Christ our “living hope” (1 Pet 1:3) who is “a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul” (Heb 6:19)!
Here are two things that give me hope at work:
1.Hope: God is changing lives around and bringing people to life in Christ at Ford.
We’re privileged to have faith resource groups at Ford that allow us to have ~18 different Bible studies across the country during our non-working hours. A recent reorganization allowed a gospel conversation with my outgoing supervisor and chance to share the hope I have in Jesus. In our Bible study, it is tempting for me to think no one is listening or showing any change, but God gave me a glimpse recently revealing how He’s at work.
A previous Bible study member called me out of the blue to say how grateful she was for the lesson on Psalm 23 and something I said (though I don’t remember saying it!) of how important it us to memorize Scripture as a weapon to fight during challenging times. She recently went through a lot of health issues and every time she had her blood drawn she remembered “the LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing,” and God was her strength.
Also, a few years ago I gave a coworker a happy birthday card and told him how grateful I was for his example and how well suited he is in his role. Then again, “coincidently,” when I was having a difficult day and feeling down, he texted me a picture of the card and said he keeps it as a reminder for how grateful he is that I invest in him as a brother in Christ.
2.Hope: God cares about me, my work, my coworkers (yes, even the challenging ones), and every little detail and every big decision.
Work is one of His original designs for mankind, “the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Gen 2:15). Work is for our good and for His glory.
Even with this knowledge, work for me can often feel like a seesaw between two unhealthy extremes. One side being the job is the most important thing ever and it is all up to me and my efforts to make it go well (control). The other side being that this work isn’t that big of a deal and I shouldn’t care that much and just get by (comfort). The lies here are that we’re ultimately in control and we have no responsibility. However, there are also truths here that we were designed to work hard, rest, and not to make work our ultimate meaning. These are tough tensions, but the Apostle Paul provided us with a work mantra and motivation that, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Col 3:23-24 NIV).
God is doing something in your workplace beyond your understanding, comfort, and control. You can rest in His sovereignty. At the same time, you can delight in your God-given human responsibility to work hard for him without allowing it to consume you.
Whatever your Titanic situation may be, I pray our coworkers would be equally surprised and thankful to realize, “apparently, there is a Christian at my workplace” and that person is you… and me. I pray this gives you hope too!
Lord, in our hearts, help us to always honor you as holy and to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” and to “do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Pet 3:15).