Presented by Lauren Stibgen

Oftentimes we can get our identity wrapped up in different aspects of our life. It could be a hobby or a talent, our family, or even a worthy cause. But, for many of us, we derive our identity from where we spend much of our time. If you are like me, this is time spent at work. It is spent thinking about our job titles, colleagues, companies, bosses, and subordinates. We spend our time thinking about new horizons at work, strategies, and breakthroughs. But our time is also spent in disappointments. Maybe a promotion or title not received or even the loss of a job. In all these things, it is easy to forget that for those of us who believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are on a mission—the Great Commission set forth by Jesus himself in Matthew 28: 19-20a:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Jesus is commanding we declare the gospel—the good news! Now, I realize we are likely not going to baptize our coworkers, but we can look to this verse as a foundational calling and a promise. In the final sentence of verse 20, Jesus says, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

We are living on a mission, and we often forget we carry this missional living to our workplaces. In this mission, we can remember our identity belongs to God.

Armed with this thinking, you may be asking yourself what discipleship looks like at work. In another segment, I talked about what I have personally deemed as Faith at Work 1.0. Don’t over complicate your thinking in this matter but show up each day knowing Jesus is with you always, to the end of the age. He is with you and asking you to become more like him each day with how you reflect his light and glory to those around you!

Matthew 5:14-16 exhorts: You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Shine your light. Let those around you see your good works and give glory to God! For some of us this is easy, but maybe you are in a stifling work environment. Maybe you feel heaviness each day as you get ready for work. You are putting forth your very best effort to do good work, but no one sees it.

Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. God sees your good works and will use them for his glory, especially when you are least expecting it!

What are some practical ways to live missionally at work? And, more practically, what are “good works”? Perhaps it is as simple as being the person who does not engage in gossip. Instead, you are the opposite, always seeking the good in others and lifting them up with a positive word. Maybe you help someone who has a heavy workload or even a heavy burden. As a woman, how can you support other women at work? Are there moms balancing kids back in school with work? How can you creatively encourage them? I find the most practical mission we can be on at the office is to reflect the love of Christ to others we are around. Make them ask why you are filled with joy and have a spring in your step. Make them ask why you are so encouraged during a difficult trial at work. It will give you a chance to let them know you always have Jesus by your side!

Back to our identity. It is easy to revert to forgetting whose mission we are on. I like to keep the verse Colossians 3:23-24 front and center in my workspace.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.

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The Christian Working Woman

Missional Living – Identity

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