Your Work Is Your Ministry
Dear Workplace Believer,
Did you know your work is your calling? I don’t know if anyone has told you this, but it’s true. You may have previously thought that only pastors and church leaders have a calling from God, but I want you to know that you are called by God to do what you are doing in the workplace, and the work you are doing is very important. I want you to feel affirmed in this calling, and to know that you have been anointed to do the very work you are doing in the marketplace.
The Bible confirms this in Colossians 3:23,24: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”
Did you know that the 9-5 window, or the time that we go to work each day is one of the most important mission fields in the world today? The workplace is where you will spend 70-80% of your time. Because of this, it is very important that you see your work as a calling. You will have the keys for solutions to problems that many people face, because you have fellowship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I like to call these types of people “change agents.”
Many may try to tell you that your work is not spiritually as important as someone in vocational ministry, that there is a sacred/secular divide between “holy” work and “unholy” work; that somehow the work of a pastor or missionary is much more important than a doctor, teacher, or business leader. But I want to tell you that is not true. Of all the miracles Jesus performed, 90% were in the marketplace.
Avodah (Ah’-voe-dah) is a Hebrew word used in the Bible that has two distinct yet intertwined meanings: work and worship. So you see, our work is worship to Him!
Therefore, I want to encourage you to seek God with all that you have for your workplace calling. Get in His word and learn to hear His voice. Spend time in prayer each day. Worship Him to get filled up with His Holy Spirit. The scripture says, “My sheep know My voice…” (John 10:27) We are all called to hear His voice in our lives.
There may be a specific industry you are called to, or a specific sphere or mountain of culture, such as family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, religion, or business. It may be a combination of several of these 7 mountains. I want you to seek God for where He wants you to be, and also to be faithful in what He has given you right now.
I want to encourage you to do the work you are doing with excellence. Your work has eternal value as service to our Heavenly Father, our King. “Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Ephesians 6:7) There are some people who may be difficult to work with, especially bosses. I want you to work as unto the Lord in all situations, but especially in these kinds of situations. Extend grace to those who do not deserve it, because this is what our Savior did for us.
Most of all, I want to encourage you to love God, seek Him first everyday, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:37-39) When we live out our faith in the workplace, lives will be touched, and communities will be transformed. I have seen it happen!
Finally, Paul exhorted believers in Titus 2:8-10 to literally adorn their lives with the Word of God to express the nature of God to others even in difficult work environments.
“Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.”
There is no more important time than now to exemplify the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. You are anointed for your work – – you are anointed to do the work God has called you to do.
May you be blessed to live out your calling in the workplace!
Sincerely,
Os Hillman
