A Secular Workplace - Part Three

"A Secular Workplace" 

(Part Three)

 Everyone wants to be liked.  Everyone wants to be popular – but that is a challenge when you are a Christian in a secular workplace.  Eventually someone will want you to do something that goes against your moral beliefs.  Then what?

“Do the Right Thing”

There it is.  The fork in the road.  One way is easier.  It’s downhill.  It’s the well-trodden path.  It’s smooth and wide.  “Everyone” takes that path.  It’s the path of compromise.  But as a Christian you know you must take the high road, even if you must take it alone.  It may hurt your popularity at work.  You may no longer be “one of the guys”.  The Bible is full of examples – the lion’s den, the fiery furnace, prison cells, even capital punishment.  But as a Christian, when faced with the choice, you must do the right thing, no matter the cost.

We should conduct ourselves with such holy integrity that our secular counterparts say things like, “Hey, I know, why don’t we get Doug to do it?”  “No, Doug’s a good Christian.  He would never do anything like that.”  “Well, then, let’s force him to do it.”  “No, it wouldn’t matter if you put a gun to his head, he would never go against his beliefs.”

This can be difficult, because it tends to keep a wall between you and your non-Christian buddies at work.  It means you will get left out of some of the fun.  That’s just the way it is.

You may ask, “But can’t I just be their friend?”  Yes, you should be their friend – all the way up to the fork in the road.  At that point the best thing you can do as a friend is to set a good example, and take the high road.

On this topic there is a scripture worth pondering.  First Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”  We all rub off on one another.  Sure, your good character will rub off on them.  But beware, because their bad character will also rub off on you.  At that point the fork in the road will separate you from some of your coworkers, and you will no longer be just another “one of the guys”.

Working in a secular workplace has many challenges, but it also has many rewards.  Pray that the Lord will use you as an agent of change in the lives of your coworkers.  Make the most of every opportunity.  The only Jesus they may ever see is the Jesus shining through you.

(Probably written around Sept. 2005)

 

A Secular Workplace – Part Two

It’s Monday morning and, congratulations, you are starting a new job!  The question is, how do you conduct yourself, as a Christian?

“Let Them Know”

In a new job you always meet new people.  You don’t know them and they don’t know you.  There is something very important about you that they need to learn right up front.  One way or another, subtle or overt,  I think it is important that you let people know that you are a Christian.

“It Affects Their Conduct”

Why is there an urgency to let your new coworkers know about your faith?  First of all, it should set a standard of conduct for those around you.  Hopefully they will clean up their language and their jokes out of respect.  Hopefully they will refrain from taking the Lord’s name in vain.  They will know not to ask you to join them if they are making plans unfit for a Christian.  You won’t have to hear such things as, “You want to go to the bar after work?” or “Check out this racy website” or “We’re leaving early, can you clock us out at quitting time?”  I know it’s not always that simple, but at least your more civilized coworkers will respect where you stand.

“It Affects Your Conduct”

When you let people know you are a Christian, it forces you to live like one.  Immediately you have a higher standard of morality to live by.  They will expect you (and put pressure on you) to be honest and truthful.  You will have to keep your own language and jokes clean.  You can’t join in on certain office high jinx.  You will be forced to pass on various after-hours activities. Anything less than good Christian behavior and you will be labeled a hypocrite.  

“It Affects Their Lives”

When your coworkers want to live in the darkness, you (the Christian) will be an annoying light that ruins the atmosphere.  But the darkness is a terrible place to live.  Situations will arise in your coworkers’ lives, and they will seek you out for help.  They knew from day one that you were a Christian – a source of wisdom, love and mercy – and they will come to you when the time is right.  On that day you will be glad that you began your new job with the label “Christian.”