GOD IN THE WORKPLACE
God is capable of manifesting (and desires to manifest) Himself in our workplace at all times. The use of the term workplace is not limited to occupation or vocation. It could also be used in relation to whatever area of human endeavour we as believers find ourselves. Below are some scripture references that provides insights into what it means for God to be in the workplace.
ACTS 10
ACTS 11:1-18
Peter's ministry was used by God to benefit and bless Cornelius. Peter was a Jew. In those days, the Jews were under Roman rule. Cornelius was a Roman. The Romans were the colonial masters. Peter, by reason of his ancestry, was expected to have prejudicial opinion of anyone affiliated to the Roman colonial masters. To an individual like Peter who was religious, the Romans most likely would fall in the category of people regarded as gentiles. The Romans by reason of their higher status in the society tended to yield to the human tendency to look down on the people they rule. With God in the workplace such knot of bias is untied. "Now I know God is no respecter of persons," said Peter in the house of Cornelius.
JOHN 4:5-9
Like Peter, Jesus stepped beyond the cultural norms by interacting with a woman from Samaria. If societal convention was anything to go by, Jews and Samarians were supposed to be hostile towards each other. The expectation of hostility was reflected in the words of the Samarian lady when she wondered why a man of Jewish birth (Jesus) would ask her for water to drink.
With God in the workplace, attitudes and view points that are capable to breeding bad blood bows out for God's will to prevail. And when His will is done, the outcome will be as pleasant as the ending of the interaction between the Lord and the Samarian woman.
JOHN 2:1-10
By turning water into wine at the marriage in Canaan, Jesus set for us a fine example of what we ought to be in diverse of area of human endeavour. Not only was he present at the occasion, he also contributed meaningfully to the success of the ceremony. Not only did he prove his worth as occasion demanded, he in fact made a difference with his deed. So different and excellent was the feat the master of ceremony could not help expressing the quality of the wine when he tasted some of it.
Jesus did not herald his presence over a public address system. Rather, he made his presence felt through an outstanding performance of his first miracle. And the first miracle created a memorable and commendable first impression. "You will know them by their fruits," (Matthew 7:16) the Lord said. That's right. Did he not refer to us as the light of the world. A city set on the hill, hence, can not be hidden. The lamp set in the room to make a remarkable difference between shade and brightness. A difference that clearly reflect the light of God and His will in the workplace (Matthew 5:14)
ACTS 28:1-6
After the victims of the shipwreck made their way to Malta Island, Paul assisted in making fire to keep them warm. Like Jesus, he was making his presence felt through his meaningful contribution. As he was gathering sticks to be used as firewood, a poisonous snake came out of the pile and launched what some believed was a fatal attack on him. The inhabitants of the island expected him to drop dead few moments later. But he did not drop dead. It was just a matter of time before they changed their mind about the evil they expected would befall him. They perceived the power of God without Paul even preaching yet! The awareness of the might and power of God was raised among the people around him. Many afterwards turned to the Lord through Paul's ministry.
More often than not, adversities do come our way as we tend towards reflecting God's will in our workplaces. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the Lord delivers him from them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken." (Psalm 34:19-20) Our Lord God's will and purpose can be manifested in various areas of human endeavour we find ourselves. His manifestation is not limited to only calm circumstances, He is also present in disturbing moments.
From a human perspective, we might be deemed a 'goner' due to the seemingly overwhelming nature of the challenges we face every now and then. But God's will and purpose about us is usually not the same with that of man. Did He not say in His word that, "My ways are not your ways and My thought are not your thought?" (Isaiah 55:8-9) Did the scriptures not state that He has chosen things considered by some human standard as 'weak', 'foolish' and 'not-reckoned-with' to confound the things that are deemed 'strong', 'wise' and 'reckoned-with'? (I Cor 1:26-29)
ACTS 16:16-18
God, through the instrument and ministry of Paul, delivered a young slave-woman of the spirit of fortune telling. Prior to the deliverance of the young lady, she was a source of gain for some self-centered individuals who care more about the profit they were making out of her unfortunate situation. She might have been a source of gain for some people but that does not hide the fact that she was in a spiritual bondage. Paul could have sided with or even join the exploiters. He could have conveniently rationalized that 'After all, it's business, so who doesn't want to make money'. But no, he did not share this viewpoint. He could simply ignore her predicament. After all, she was not his sister or wife or daughter. But no, he did not. His actions towards the demon-possessed lady might have incurred the wrath of the opportunistic exploiters but it truly reflects the will of God - to set the captives free! God in the workplace might mean not conforming to the standard of men, however it will be of great benefit to our fellow men (Isaiah 61:1-4).
ACTS 16:19-34
As mentioned earlier under ACTS 28:1-6, allowing God to have his way, or attempting to live up to God's expectation, or showing tendencies that reflect God's standard and will could bring trauma once in a while. The 'reward' for casting out the fortune-telling demon was imprisonment. The embittered opportunist-owners of the slave-lady had both Paul and Silas jailed in revenge. Even among the prisoners where the children of God found themselves, they were not daunted. They did not engage in any activity or behaviour that often characterize moments of being downcast. Rather, it was yet another opportunity for God to give the world an idea of what His being in the workplace is about. Please refer to the writings under ACTS 28:1-6.
God bless.
Yours
'Kunle O Majek'
H I A F E M
Of impact, quality and excellence
That's the Spirit!
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