iWork4Him PowerThought

What is the first question someone asks you after an introduction? I'd be willing to bet that 9 times out of 10 its "So… What do you do for work?" That question may feel fine and dandy when you are in a high-powered position or working your dream job – but for most people it's uncomfortable to be instantly framed by their employment OR lack of employment. We live in a society that equates our value with our job title. But the TRUTH is that your identity is NEVER going to be found in the things you do or how impressive your resume is. Psalm 139: 14 says, "I give thanks to you God because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works." So remember, your value and identity are based on the fact that God designed, made, and loves you… just as you are!

Every paycheck you've been putting a little away for retirement. But once that money enters your 401K, what happens to it? Well, usually it gets invested into a whole bunch of companies. But did you know that many of the companies you may be investing in are actually supporting activities that blatantly go against Scripture! Proverbs 16:8 warns against this by saying, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice." So, while you may be trying to steward your money well, you could actually be supporting businesses who work AGAINST everything you, and God, stand for! So, what can you do about it? Three words: Biblically. Responsible. Investing. Organizations like Inspire Investing can help you use your money to honor God and support companies whose values align with God's purposes. This week, take a look at where your money and investments are REALLY going.

Most people consider a vocation to be a career that they feel a strong draw towards or that they are particularly suited to. But as Christ-followers, we look at vocation a little bit differently. Dr. Chip Roper from the Voca Center in New York talked with us recently about the biblical view of vocation, which is simply a divine call to God's service or to the Christian life. From this perspective, your vocation isn't a career, but how you act in your current career. It is about recognizing that God has called you to your job for this time, in this season, to minister to your coworkers, vendors, bosses, customers, and clients! So remember, you aren't just working for yourself; you're working for the Lord! Step into your Kingdom calling this week by inviting God to teach you about your vocation as a workplace missionary.

God formed Adam and Eve on the sixth day of creation… making their first full day in the Garden of Eden the Sabbath – a day of REST. God is gracious so He didn't start them out on a Monday … instead, God emphasized the importance and holiness of spending time in his presence FIRST, before the work week begins. He asks us to look to him FIRST. Rest in Him FIRST. And only then, after worshiping, resting, and praying, are we to be sent out to do the work that God has for us. The Sabbath is a GIFT. And when we don't treasure it, we don't honor God. Remember, Jesus was always busy but NEVER in a hurry. He always made time for people, for rest, and for prayer. So, what about you? Do you consider Monday to be the start of your week? Or Sunday… the day of Rest?

Matthew 5:14-16 says, "You are the light of the world… No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." When you go to work, do you switch off your faith? Do you put your belief under a bowl? Or do you proudly display it, letting it shine so that others can see it? The thing is, nobody benefits from your light if it's hidden... no one even knows it's there! But when you let your light - your faith - shine proudly at work, every good deed and kind word will bring glory to God! These regular parts of your day, suddenly become opportunities to share the love of Christ with everyone around you.

The workplace is the largest mission field in the world, yet many Christ-followers don't engage in their calling as missionaries because they don't know how to share their faith at work. Fear around rejection, offending someone, or saying the wrong thing are just a few of the barriers that prevent believers from bringing the good news of the Gospel to their coworkers, employees, and clients. But here's a tip: the most effective way to share your faith is simply to share your own story. Jesus often spoke in stories, called parables, when he was teaching. Why? Because they are a relatable carrier for important truths! Your testimony is no different! When you talk about God's faithfulness in your life, you are sharing the Gospel. So, who can you share your story of faith with this week at work?

65% of the population will never go into a four walls church – that means that over half of the people in the U.S. will never hear about Jesus from a pastor or dedicated ministry. BUT here's the good news: almost everyone will be employed during their lifetime, which makes the workplace one of the LARGEST mission fields in the world – a place where we, as ambassadors for Christ, are given free access to the lost and hurting! John 4:35 says, "Wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest… and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life." Are you treating your workplace like your mission field? If not, WAKE UP! The fields are ripe with people waiting to be brought to eternal life – and Jesus is asking you to be a part of the harvest.

In today's culture, respect for our elders and wisdom, has been replaced by idolizing youth and outward appearances. As Christians, we believe that ALL human beings are created by God in His image. Therefore every person has inherent dignity and creator-ordained worth. To be created in the likeness of God means that each person bears His image and with it, a value beyond our unique characteristics or individual attributes. Do you treat ALL people at work with the same respect? Do you say hello, and look into the eyes of the janitor or the server at lunch? The FedEx guy? Do you know their names? We challenge you this week to treat everyone you meet with the dignity and respect you previously reserved for only those "who merit it."

I recently had my concept of "neighbor" challenged. Does neighbor mean only the people in my neighborhood? The ones we live near? Actually, in a broader sense, it is anyone "living or located near another". That means the folks all around us at work, in the next cubicle. The teacher in the next classroom. The person exercising next to us at the gym. Our neighbors are everywhere and the Lord had a great deal to say about them. Some Hebrew origins of the word, also translate it to mean "fellow man". Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Today, how will YOU show love to ALL THOSE who you work around all day long?

A company we love, and one you may have heard of, called Dayspring, helps direct their branding by asking the question, "what do we want people to walk away feeling after they've encountered a Dayspring product?" Do we want them to feel seen, loved, or encouraged? And what can we do to make customers want to return after an encounter with our products? These kinds of branding questions aren't just for companies! 2 Corinthians 5:20 says that, "we are Christ's ambassadors and God is making his appeal through us." In other words, we are Christ's BRAND ambassadors! Take a moment and ask yourself the question: how well am I representing God's brand at work? When people encounter me, do they walk away feeling seen, loved, and encouraged? Think of one thing you can do today that will make those around you want to return to Christ.