How To Be A Christian At Your Work – Part 2 Of 2ಮಾದರಿ

Today, we come to the letters “S” in our 5-letter guide to living our faith at work: BLESS.

The first “S” reminds us to “See everyone in God’s image”, just as it says in the first chapter of the first book in the Bible:

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27, NIV)

You’ve heard this verse before, but let’s read it again with a small change:

So God created my boss in his own image…

So God created my difficult co-worker in his own image…

So God created the cleaning staff in his own image…

Taking that simple verse from Genesis 1 and putting into the context of your workplace, changes things, right?

Now those people who may be frustrating for you to work with are not just “difficult people” but they are special to God, created in His image.

In addition, the boss, executive or owner – those “important” people – are no different than the cleaning staff:  they are all created in His image.

When Jesus walked the earth, he especially took the time to reach out to those thought of as “less important” by society. 

Even when he was busy, Jesus found time for children, helping the underprivileged, spending time with outcasts, dining with tax collectors – he didn’t shy away from talking to anyone, not even prostitutes.

You need to do the same, even if the company structure or culture classifies people by department, job type, education, position, and pay level. Those groupings might be useful for the company but it is by no means how you should see others at your workplace.

As a Christian, you need to take a different view of those you work with – “in humility valuing others above ourselves” and taking “the same mindset as Christ Jesus” in your relationships (see Philippians 2:3-8).

But what does it mean to have the mindset of Christ?

It starts in humility, seeing everyone as a unique and special person of equal value, created in the image of God Himself. 

And it extends to loving and praying for even those who may hate you! (see Matthew 5:43-44)

Remembering this as you navigate through your day at work will make a difference in how you interact with each of your co-workers, doesn’t it?

Jesus treated children & adults, men & women, Jew & Samaritan, rich & poor with the same respect when he walked on the earth. You need to do the same with everyone you meet at your work – treating each person as if you were meeting a replica (image) of God Himself!

Pray for this and act it out – then watch how God opens the door to a greater richness in your relationships.

PRAYER

Lord, it’s so easy for me to get busy and focus on myself at work.  Forgive me for that. It’s also wrong for me to respect some people more than others.  Forgive me there too.  Help me to see everyone in your image and to treat them as Jesus would. Amen.

QUESTIONS

Is there a difference in how you interact with management at work versus how you deal with your peers? If so, why?

Do you treat those in support roles to you as well as you treat your peers?  If not, why not?

Take time to speak with someone who is largely ignored or avoided at your work, with the intention to show care like Jesus might.