As you valiantly work towards shining bright at work every day, you may find yourself struggling at times. This is because being Christ-like isn’t always a cake walk or a walk in the park. This is even more so the case in an environment where you’re regularly making decisions, delegating, putting out fires, interacting with a variety of different personalities, all while managing the demands and deliverables of the actual job. Just recently, I was on the line cooking for the dinner service at the restaurant, and the head chef asked me if the fish was working for a particular table. “Working” means, have I already started searing the fish as I have a certain amount of time to put the fully prepared food in the window for pick up. Well in the moment, I was about to season and place it on a hot pan, so without a blink of an eye, I said “yep it’s working!” However, seasoning the salmon doesn’t mean that’s it’s working. Having it actually sizzling in a hot pan to sauté the salmon means it’s working. Although to some people, this example is minor, the fact of the matter is, a lie was told. Why did I think it was okay to tell the ‘almost truth’ in that moment? That’s a good question. When I reflected on it, it was because I didn’t want to appear as though I didn’t have things under control or was unable to keep up with the fast-paced kitchen environment. In a nutshell, I was being prideful. Well how many situations have you been in where your light has been tested like that? It may not have looked the same, but the fact of the matter is, it’s about our light and being able to shine it through the many situations we face at work; minor or major.
In 1 Timothy 4:16, it says “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” There’s a purpose for that word “persevere.” This direction to persevere is an implication that putting the teachings of the Bible into practice in our daily lives would not be easy—not impossible, but definitely not easy. Our lives speak so much louder than our words, especially to those who aren’t quite ready to hear about your faith. So besides sharing your faith at work, I want to give you a good place of reference when you feel like you’ve fallen short in some way or that your light may be going a little dim at work.
Arrive on Time or Early
Being on time or even early to work, to your meetings, etc. displays discipline, respect and overall good work ethic and character. These are all qualities that line up with biblical principles. When onlookers witness your consistentcy with punctuality, you’re shining your light that reflects Jesus’ character. And one of the great things about this one is, it’s low-hanging fruit. Punctuality is simple to achieve especially when you have control over how you’re prioritizing and using your time throughout the day.
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” Titus 2:7-8
Do Your Work On Another Level
There’s something about having a conviction to strive for excellence for God in what you do at work that really reflects your light to your work environment. It grabs people’s attention. It does this because it’s not common. It’s more common to be lazy, to complain about how slow time is moving, to take shortcut to get to the end of a project, to pass responsibilities off, not to delegate strategically but to be relieved of the work that’s at hand. 1 Corinthians 10:31 reads, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” When we focus on doing all things excellent at work for God’s glory, not obsessive excellence, but with balance, then we’re shining a bright light.
Don’t Stand Down, Stand Up
There will always be something you feel strongly about that the job may not find important at all. For example, you may feel strongly that you have Sundays off in order to participate in meetings of the body at your church. This is not the time to shrink back. It’s a time to stand tall and petition for what you know is the right thing for you to do. Convictions don’t get checked at the door when you get to work. They are to be put on like a crown. Why? When people see that you stand for something righteous, they’ll be curious as well as impressed with your courage, confidence and sense of purpose. Shine your light as you hold true to your faith-focused convictions.
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.”” John 8:31
Connect With The Overlooked
In a movie and even real life, have you ever seen a high school jock befriend who most kids would call a nerd, or an unpopular kid? There’s just something about that young athlete that is so endearing and really softens your heart. It reminds you that “wow, there is actually good in this world”, or “wow, this kid has charecter and is going to change the world in some way.” It’s huge when someone shows love for another person, and wants nothing in return from them. There’s someone in your work environment where if you showed them some love, you would not only be impacting the person with your light, but those watching on the sidelines. Find someone who needs someone, and love them.
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22
“To love him [God] with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” Mark 12:33
Find the Positivity in the Problems
If there were no challenges or hiccups at work, you would really have to wonder what’s wrong. I mean, there’s always something to fix or something that falls through the cracks. This is not abnormal in the least bit because, who runs teams, projects, and businesses anyway? People! And although we are educated, skilled and talented, we are also not perfect. So as challenges arise, be that person who finds the good in the situation. Find the silver-lining. And if that’s hard to find, be focused on finding the solution. I’ve been in countless situations where there would be something to troubleshoot and everyone involved would spend more time complaining, pointing fingers, and dissecting how things could have been done differently to prevent the outcome from happening. That’s a trap. Don’t fall into it. Instead, have a positive, uplifting outlook. It’s different. It’s refreshing. It’s appealing. It’s contagious. It’s you shining your light bright at work.
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:6
GLUTEN-FREE BANANA NUT BREAD
Ingredients
3 Large Organic Eggs, room temperature
2 Large Overly Ripe Organic Bananas, mashed
¼ cup Honey
¼ cup Almond milk
1 Tsp. Almond Extract
1 cups Almond flour
1 ¼ cup oats
1 teaspoons Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch Sea Salt
¼ cup Chopped Walnuts (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven at 375
Add all ingredients to a blender except for the chopped walnuts
Blend until forms a bread batter consistency
Once blended, sprinkle chopped walnuts into batter and mix with hands or plastic or wooden spoon
Oil your bread baking pan with olive oil and sprinkle a light dusting of gluten-free flour onto the pan
Pour batter into baking pan
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, checking on doneness periodically
When you slide a butter knife into the bread and it’s clean when you pull it out, it’s done!
Let cook for 5 to 10 minutes, slice and serve
Feel free to spread REAL butter for a taste of savory-ness on your warm slices of banana bread should you wish.
Enjoy!
