Issue 036
How spiritual are you at work? This question often conjures images of a pious individual who reads his or her bible in the staff canteen (and incidentally there is nothing wrong with that). Other images include things like abstinence and, unfortunately, aloofness or eccentricity. But spirituality has to do with a life in touch with the unseen God in a tangible world. It is to do with what Solomon called “eternity on our hearts”. Spirituality involves seeing the unseen clearly. But it is not any old unseen. Christian spirituality has to do with the realities of the God and Father of Jesus Christ in the nitty-gritty of our world.
Spiritual workers, therefore, will see past their own manager to the
Lord himself who is the source of authority. They will recognise that
even in the face of bad management the ultimate employer is in charge.
They will see past interruptions to the possibility of a divine
appointment. They will see people not just as human capital but as
children of the Creator. Spirituality at work will mean seeing plans
made as subject to the will of God. It will mean seeing beyond work to
the whole of life and a search for balance.
Perhaps often neglected, spirituality in the workplace will involve an
awareness of the spiritual stakes involved in our relationships. God has
enabled you to be present in other peoples live for many reasons. One
of them is to make him known to them. So this involves allowing them
to see your faith in action and hear it in words so that they can taste
the goodness of God.
A spiritual person will not only see spiritual things but also recognise
their importance and make time to connect them with the working day.
There are a couple of postscripts to this. If you seek to be a spiritual
person in your workplace you will discover a deepening sense of job
satisfaction. You will find more meaning and purpose in what you do
and an increase in your joy.
You will also find that you encounter spiritual opposition. Paul told his
young apprentice that those who want to live a Godly life could expect
to be persecuted. It’s not the easy option and your opposition will not
just be human. But it is the only option for a Christian. It’s the real
thing. Elisha prayed for his servant, “open his eyes so that he may see.”
Pray this week and every week that you will see the spiritual realities in
your work.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Hebrews 11:1
1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
2 Timothy 3:12
12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Kings 6:17
17And Elisha prayed, “O Lord open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha
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
