Workplace Woes

 

I recently had lunch with a woman who has a fairly high level job in corporate America. She was lamenting the time and energy required to keep up with all that is expected of her from several levels. Because she is in a management position she is the “heavy” who has to say some of the hard stuff. She also has to listen to the complaints. Because she has several layers of employees under her she also has to be the one to encourage and persuade some others to be willing to say the hard stuff.

One of her laments is that this work, which she likes most of the time, takes so much time and energy that there is very little left to serve the Lord, spend time with her family, serve her church, and get time to be still with the Lord. I left her wishing I had said more to encourage her. As usual, after I have had some time to reflect I realized there was plenty more I could have said. She is in a great position to serve the Lord!

We often think that if we are not working as full time missionaries somewhere that we are not “really” serving God. But, I have to think that our sovereign Lord has each one of us just where He wants us for the times. It’s not as if this lady works in a Christian company who has hired all Christian employees.

In spite of this woman’s schedule and position she was able to tell me how blessed she is. She does have a great job but she indicated that it was the tip of the iceberg. God has blessed her with a good husband, great kids and grandkids, a nice house, and now a place to worship where she is growing in the Lord and finding Him to be her joy. She feels like she needs to give back to the Lord in some way. The words “bloom where you are planted” come to mind.

I recognize that she is not in a position – by company policy – to proselytize her whole office. But, she can be different and make a difference. She can stand out as one who loves the Lord, who follows His law, and who is holy in the corporate setting. A leader who works hard, maintains a high standard (Biblical) of ethics, and serves others in the work setting is different today.

Corporate America may not seem like the ideal place to share our faith and yet there are many possibilities to let others know without breaking any rules. So often we see Biblical principles presented in secular terms. One that comes to mind is, that she sees/hears a lot of, is that the Christian in the work place can do what’s expected without complaining or grumbling.

Philippians 2:14, 15 say, “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

As she listens to these complaints I wonder if she would be able (and that may mean would she be allowed) to speak the truth of how much she appreciates having an employer who watches what people do and rewards those who work hard and keep a positive attitude. It would just be an observation on her part said with a positive rather than a negative attitude.

Many of the employees do not like the location and the circumstances that it brings with parking, safety, etc. They are not grateful for a job that they accepted with these terms when they were employed. Some benefits have changed – in this economy many people expect that and are happy to have a job – not these employees. How does one promote and keep a positive attitude when others are looking the proverbial gift horse in the mouth? Thessalonians 5:18 says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” When everyone else is ungrateful can we make a point of being grateful? This woman has to listen to the complaints – that’s her job. I was wondering if there are ways that she – and all of us – could become thankful, verbalizing it for others to hear – especially when others don’t see the benefits they are all receiving. We would have to look for the good in every situation and pronounce it – that might be hard to do, but not impossible.

Perhaps one of the biggest influences a Christian in corporate America could have is through her vocabulary. There are distinctively Biblical words that we can use that convey our faith. One is “blessing”. It is a word that expresses something that we want to speak well of. She can call her best employees a blessing. Usually, in an office setting the only way we hear the Lord’s name is when it is taken in vain. When good things happen, when there is a reason to show appreciation, when compliments are given – how about “praising the Lord” for that rather than a mere “thank you”?

A witness for Christ demonstrates a changed life because of the influence of God through His Holy Spirit in our lives. In the workplace there are plenty of things to say and ways to express our own gratitude to God so that others hear the message. I wish I had thought of these things at lunch today. Perhaps the Lord will give me another chance. You see, in the workplace or in a restaurant on Sunday after church, our responses aren’t always what we would like them to be. For me – and for my corporate friend – He will give us second chances to say the things that will bring Him the most glory!