Making Time for God in Your Workplace
by Karen S. Roberts
Do you ever think about making time for God at work? This devotional will help you think about it in different ways. 
Working With the Right Attitude
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. NKJV
These words encourage us to do our work enthusiastically and to do our best. Since our work is “as to the Lord and not to men,” that means that Jesus is our true boss. This covers any kind of work, whether you have a job, run your own business, are doing household chores, are taking classes, or taking care of family members.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of looking at work as a drudgery. But we should look at it as service to the Lord. We can be grateful that we have the ability to work. Many people with disabilities wish they could work. Count your work as a blessing.
When Work is Hard
Jesus called His disciples to follow Him.…fishermen, a tax collector, an anti-government radical, and a man who was could have been from Missouri (he had to see it to believe it). Do you notice that none of these men were training to be in the ministry before Jesus called them? That didn’t matter though. When Jesus called, they answered. They were willing to make time. And He was willing to enable them to do what they were called to do.
The disciple’s work was not easy. Walking for miles to get place to place with Jesus, often having to sleep outside, not always knowing where the next meal would come from, going out to do the work Jesus sent them to do, etc., was tiring and tested their faith. After Jesus returned to heaven their work meant facing persecution and risking their lives. Most of them became martyrs.
Sometimes our work is hard too. A mother who is up with the baby or a sick child for hours in the night must face the day exhausted. At the office, a manager may ask for a project or report to be done so soon that it requires working overtime. A coworker may be a difficult person to work with.
Perhaps customers or clients are difficult, complaining and never easy to satisfy. If our work is physical, it can be exhausting, especially if we work outside in bad weather.
If we pray for strength, wisdom, endurance, and finding joy in our work, it will make all the difference.
Years ago my husband, who was a high school teacher, was feeling burnt out and frustrated with his job. For months I prayed that he would find joy and purpose in his work. He was given the opportunity to take some training which showed him new approaches to teaching and engaging his students. Putting these techniques into effect created great interest among students in discussions in his classes. This opened opportunities to build relationships with his students. He became excited about his work, finding new purpose in it. Some of his students came to talk with him personally, giving him opportunities to share Jesus with some of them and to pray for some of them. He discovered that his public school teaching was actually a ministry.
Inviting Jesus Into Your Work
While working, stopping to pray for a few moments can make all of the difference. We can receive insights and abilities to complete a job, strength when we are weary, and an attitude turn-around when needed.
If you have your own space at work, such as a cubicle, office, or vehicle, try hanging up a Bible verse on a card and work on memorizing it when you have a few minutes of break time. The verse may be a conversation starter with those who see it. But its main benefit is to feed you spiritually as you absorb it into your mind and spirit.
Jesus is ready to meet your needs in the workplace. Invite Him to do so, and then thank Him for the help that He will send.
Being Like Jesus
We bring glory to God by being like Jesus at work. Letting Him work on developing your Christian character, allowing Him to daily fill you with His Spirit, and asking Him to develop the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in your life will make a huge difference in your ability to be a Light for Him in your workplace.
Refuse to participate in office gossip and backstabbing.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. ~Ephesians 4:29
Be above reproach. That includes not taking office supplies because “They’ll never miss them,” or “They owe me that much.” It also includes not stealing time from your employer by spending work time on personal activities such as getting on social media.
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ~Ephesians 4:2
Make sure that whatever career path you choose, it will not dishonor God or cause anyone to doubt the genuineness of your proclaimed faith.
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ~1st Corinthians 10:31
Think before you speak. Consider the outcome of your actions before you act.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
As a Christian, you are a reflection of Jesus to the unbeliever. People around you may not know any true follower of Jesus except you. Remember that your lifestyle and the choices you make are a reflection of your heart…your true heart.
Be a Light for Jesus at Work
Making time for God as you work will result in people seeing Him in you. That can open doors to conversations with others. Those conversations can lead to opportunities to share Jesus and His good news with those you come in contact with through your work.
Even though you may not be allowed to have an in-depth personal conversation about your faith at work, what you do and say could create a desire for a co-worker, client, or customer to seek you out over the phone, online, or at a coffee shop.
One way that I always try to let people know that I care about them and am open to further conversation is to let them know that I am praying for them. That plants a seed within them that sometimes blooms into further conversation about the Lord.
In the comments below, share a way that YOU make time for God at work. Your experience will encourage other readers.
