“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)
As I look back on my childhood, I am reminded of values my parents instilled in me. Values which I have carried into my professional life. “Work hard” and “be nice” are principles they modeled as I was growing up that I try to bring with me to work. “Work hard” is not about being perfect, it is about doing my best. “Be nice” is not about being superficial. It is about caring for others in a sincere, gracious, and respectful manner. Just as I bring principles to work I have learned from my father and mother, I also strive to bring principles to work I have learned from my Heavenly Father.
To learn how to conduct myself in a way which honors my parents and blesses others, I needed to spend time with them and learn from them. I saw in them what they hoped to develop in me. It is the same as I strive to live God’s principles at work.
I see the values in God that He wants to help me develop. However, I need to spend time with Him to learn what they are, why they are important, and how to apply them. This only comes from time in His Presence and in His Word. There is no other way to have God’s values instilled in us than by learning more about Him, watching His faithfulness and love in all situations, and putting these principles in place. This is how we bring our faith to work.
Today, many people believe they cannot bring their faith to work. But I would say, “How can we not bring our faith to work?” Our faith involves what we say and do, how we make decisions, how we treat others, how we spend our time, and how we handle tough situations. Our reactions and actions are always based upon something. As Christian Women in the workplace, we want these to be based on our faith, what we believe.
There is no better way to know what to do than to learn from the One who knows what is right and what is best for us and others.
“Work hard” is a biblical principle. Working hard is one way of bringing your faith to work. Consider what the Lord says in His Word about how to work:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) “And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)
“Be nice” is also a biblical principle and another way of bringing your faith to work. Consider what the Lord says in His Word on how to treat others:
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6: 31) “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31) “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)
As you see the above verses, be confident that these are only a few of the principles God shares in His Word about how to work and how to treat others. The more we spend time in His Presence and the more we read His Word, the more we will see His love, direction, wisdom, and encouragement on how we can live His principles at work. In this way, we bring our faith to work in a way that blesses others and honors God.
This week, as you read His Word, consider the beauty, wisdom, and applicability at work. Take at least one of those principles to work. Perhaps it is about communication, decision making or dealing with a conflict. Whatever you anticipate dealing with, take your Heavenly Father, and His principles, to work.
Have a blessed week!