How to Follow Jesus in Any Workplace
What if I told you that whether you’re a homebuilder, homeschooler, dentist, financial advisor, engineer, or sales manager the key to following Jesus at work is essentially the same?
And what if this key is more basic than sharing Scripture, praying with others, serving, or telling people about Jesus?
If we want to follow Jesus in our own workplaces, doesn’t it make sense that we’d find the key to doing so by studying what he did most consistently?
I’m preparing to teach through the Gospel of Matthew next Fall, and I’ve been paying close attention to Jesus’ interactions with others. I’ve noticed a thread weaving through his interactions that’s more common than most of the things we teach in church. Though, please let me be clear that I’m not discounting serving, praying, sharing Scripture, or telling people about Jesus. But perhaps it’s this common thread that lays the foundation for each of those offerings.
What I see most consistently in Jesus’ interactions is an intentional sensitivity or awareness of the opportunity for transformational moments. While most of us are focused on transactions in our workplaces, Jesus was always looking beyond the transactions for those transformational moments. Whether he felt the slightest touch of a woman in the crowd or noticed a man in a tree, Jesus was keenly aware and responsive to the opportunities for transformational moments.
Yes, of course, our workplace transactions are important, and there is much we can learn from Scripture about conducting business and serving others. But if transactions are more important than transformations for those of us wishing to follow Jesus why are there not more details of how Jesus conducted transactions and less about the on-going transformational moments?
Someone is probably reading this and thinking, “Sure John. Jesus transformed people by healing them and raising them from the dead. How are we supposed to do that?”
Good question. But don’t confuse how Jesus did something with why he did it. It’s doubtful that we’ll rub spit on someone and give them sight, speak to someone and heal an incurable disease, or call a dead friend to walk out of his grave. But those physical healings were not permanent. Each recipient of such care eventually died. It was the moment that gave rise to transformation far beyond the physical. Within those transformational moments, emerged a new understanding of oneself, a new perspective of the world, and a new life trajectory.
Isn’t that what can happen when we pause and…
encourage the discouraged & disheartened
see & affirm those feeling overlooked
listen to the unnoticed or disenfranchised
comfort the grieving
stand for what is true & right
are patient with the anxious
help the fearful find courage
give clarity to the confused
provide for those in need
extend grace to the rude or antagonistic…
Not every transaction holds an opportunity for a transformational moment. Jesus clearly had an agenda and a timeline. He did not personally engage every person along his path. Though he was always ready when an opportunity presented itself. Neither did every opportunity for a transformational moment become one. Consider the rich young ruler who, after being given an opportunity to have his life completely transformed by trusting Jesus, chose to trust his riches instead.
Of course you have a job description, or at least a set of expectations, that drive your compensation. The list above is probably not part of those expectations. Fear not. The key to following Jesus at work is not shucking those responsibilities or even crossing a line your employer may have drawn to keep religion out of your workplace. Jesus had an uncompromising focus on an extraordinary mission. Yet, he knew those moments opened people’s hearts to what mattered most. He also knew that those transformational moments were as significant to what he was building as they were to the individuals being transformed.
Likewise, we’re not drifting from our organizational purpose by responding to transformational moments. Consider what a few moments of grace, forgiveness, understanding, encouragement, or comfort might do for the long-term loyalty, productivity, or collaborative potential of a customer, client, patient, team member, co-worker, supplier, or student. Attention to responding to opportunities for transformational moments — greeting with a smile & eye contact, pausing to listen at the right moment, a word of encouragement, expressing sincere concern, patience within chaos, listening for real needs within complaints or concerns… — is a common delineator between the best organizations and everyone else. Once you help a person see himself, his situation, or you in a different light, a whole new realm of possibilities emerges.
When viewed through this lens, no workplace is off-limits for one seeking to follow Jesus.
Thanks for Reading,
John