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Identifying With the Risen Lord in the Workplace
Acts 16:6-15
Vs. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God,
was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in
purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was
said by Paul.
God’s ways and thoughts are
higher than our ways and thoughts. We cannot comprehend them unless
the Spirit reveals it to us. Paul and Silas were forbidden by the Holy
Spirit to preach in Asia, though they were eager to do so. When
they tried to go Bithynia, the Spirit did not permit them. While they were
in Troas, Paul had a vision of a Macedonian seeking help.
Encouraged and moved by
the Spirit, they realized it was God’s will for them to go to
Macedonia. So they travelled to Philippi, a place in
Macedonia. On the Sabbath, they went to the river side, where women
assembled customarily for prayer. A business woman, Lydia from
Thyatira, was there and she heard Paul’s message. The Lord opened
her heart to discern the Word. This was a divine appointment which
neither Paul nor Lydia was aware of. Because of that unexpected
encounter, she and her entire household was saved and baptized. She
persuaded Paul to stay at her house. There was a vertical and
horizontal relationship formed. God uses us in amazing ways, beyond
the comprehension of our finite mind.
We get easily frustrated when our plans are thwarted
because we fail to understand the glorious end if we move according to
God’s plan. He has a purpose for each move in our life. So we have to
learn to follow His lead and enjoy the journey though it is difficult.
God does not want all
of us to leave our job and go to the mission field. But He wants to
use each of us as His vessel for the extension of His kingdom. God
wants us to be working as evangelists in the setting He has placed us. We
are expected to share the Word in our workplace with our peers and
clients. Faith comes through hearing the word of God. So if we
don’t speak, they can’t hear. But before we speak, make sure the
Spirit permits us to speak. To know the will of God in the given
circumstance, we have to listen to His quiet voice. We have to tune
our ear to His frequency. Our actions speak louder than our
words. People watching us will want to have our Savior when they
see our peaceful life; simple actions such as showing up in time to work,
being sensitive towards the problems and sufferings others go through,
treating others with patience, grace, love, acceptance and compassion,
avoiding gossiping or retaliating but forgiving, submitting to authority,
and not lording over our subordinates are all ways to bring others to
Christ.
Many people are
depressed and living without any hope. We can tell them about the
hope they can have in the Risen Christ in their desperate circumstances.
We must be on the watch for the right opportunity. The Spirit will guide
us, but we have to follow His guidance, trusting that we can do all
things through Christ who strengthens us. Most often, the Spirit
tugs our heart to speak after He prepares a receiving heart. We don’t
have to worry about the outcome. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. The
Lord alone can open hearts to receive and believe His Word. Our job
is to speak when He permits us. We are only accountable for doing our
part.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace and boldness to be a
witness for you wherever we are planted. Prepare hearts to receive
the Gospel. Enable us to gain souls for you by the way we live and
interact with others, reaching out to the needy and doing our work
sincerely. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Actions speak louder than words. Our workplace is our
God-ordained pulpit.
Saramma Chacko, Epiphany MTC, NY
Christian
Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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