Issue 144
In common with many Christians you probably want to be a Christian influence in your work. There is a risk of becoming disillusioned with your position and rather daunted by the task if you feel that you are in a minority of one in your organisation.
There is a spiritual dynamic, however, which needs to be understood and which may help you find a different perspective. For the so-called (and mis-named) full-time Christian worker, the biggest single challenge is to get into a position in order to deliver a message. Gaining an entré is the hardest part of the spiritual menu. You, however, are already there. You are ‘in’. You, by virtue of the position you hold, are in a position of influence. This is a cause for celebration and gratitude to God, for, in spiritual terms, change always works from the inside. On an individual level you already know this because becoming a Christian involves the power of God working from the inside of your life to make you new. On an organisational level, your Christian presence is the source of change throughout your network from the inside.
There is a risk amongst those who are not Christians of assuming that changing conditions and practices is good enough. Flexible hours, good physical environment, favourable terms and conditions, whilst vital, are not enough. There is a spiritual dynamic which also applies. For real change to take place the power of God needs to be introduced from the outside. Self-help may help but we need outside help. These apparently paradoxical dynamics find their resolution in a couple of sentences from Jesus of Nazareth. “The Kingdom of God,” he explained, “is like yeast.” Yeast has to work from the inside out. Its power and effectiveness works its way through the dough. In the same way, the power of God changes you personally and enables you to bring change from the inside out. But the yeast itself has to be introduced from outside. We cannot just change ourselves, God’s power is other and external and needs to come into our lives for the change to take place.
This is a real challenge. Our call to live as people of the Kingdom involves letting God work in us and through us but also requires us to point out that the changes needed are brought about by the introduction of God into our lives. It’s not just an adjustment of working conditions which is the Kingdom challenge at work, it is admission of need, leading to acceptance of the King himself. This message is uncomfortable, complex and potentially unpopular and it will definitely take someone on the inside to get it across.
Luke 13: 20-21
20Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”
In preparation for the next GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly, do feel free to email us your thoughts to wtw@worktalk.gs or leave a comment on our Facebook or Twitter profile. You can also visit our YouTube channel - get inspired and share Worktalk's vision with others.
Work well
Geoff Shattock
© Copyright 2024 Geoff Shattock
All GEOFFSHATTOCKweekly archives are for personal use only. For permission to use for any other purposes please email using the address below thank you.
WORKTALK LEARNING
1 Washington Villas, Hythe Road, Marchwood, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 4WT United Kingdom
T:+44 (0)23 8086 8543
http://www.geoffshattock.com
comms@worktalk.gs
