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Identifying
the Risen Lord at the Work Place
1 King 19:19-21
VS. 21
..........Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.
A few years
ago, we had a meeting at our office regarding personal articles kept at
work place. It was communicated to the participants that the office is
public place and articles of religious faith should not be exhibited
rampantly. It did not have the expected result because most of the
participants continued to keep the articles dear to them on the desktop.
We live in a
day and age where God is becoming an ignored entity in public place.
Several civil debates and court cases have sprung from this very topic.
The human race as a whole and Christians in particular, continue to
overlook the omnipresence of God. It is in such a context that the
presence of Risen Christ becomes relevant as a subject for discussion.
When we
carefully examine the scripture for our study, Elisha did three things by
which he identified Elijah as a man of God.
1) As soon as
Elijah put the mantle on Elisha, he left the oxen and ran after Elijah.
This action proclaims Elisha’s readiness to serve the Lord.
2) Elisha gave
priority to serve the Lord over his human duty as a son to serve his
earthly parents.
3) Elisha
destroys the elements that enslaved him to the worldly tasks.
The natural
reaction that arises in us will be:
1) Am I to
leave my job in order to serve the Lord?
2) It does not
make any sense if all the Christians leave their present jobs and start
preaching.
3) Is it
practical to make a living if everyone is to follow this path?
Our blessed Lord, during His ministry on the earth,
dealt with various individuals. They came from all parts of the society:
people of various colors, races, nationalities, beliefs and professions.
We do not see the Lord asking them to leave their profession, believe in
Him or follow Him except for the twelve disciples he chose for His ministry.
Zacchaeus is a relevant case to demonstrate this point. Lord Jesus
announced salvation to the house of Zacchaeus but did not ask him to
refrain from his profession of tax collection.
If that is the
case, then how are we going to identify the Risen Lord? At the very
start, we have to ask ourselves: “Do we acknowledge the power of His
presences in our lives? Do our actions and speech edify His words and
deeds in our daily walk?" Once we get a definite and resounding
‘YES’, then we can be sure that those around will sense the whistle of
the Holy Spirit as well.
The most
important evidence of the presence of the Risen Lord in our lives is our
triumphant outlook on sin and death. The radiance of bright hope in our
speech and action will undoubtedly proclaim His glorious presence to
others at workplace. The glowing faith in our lives will guide those at
work place and those in our lives to the very source of such faith.
Finally, the engulfing love of God will fill their hearts with heavenly
melodies of the Risen Christ.
PRAYER
Father God, we
ask you to provide us the courage to acknowledge the your power and
presence in our work place. Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE
DAY
Let us dedicate
ourselves to serve the commission of our Lord and Savior with a heart
full of gratitude.
Abraham Mammen, Epiphany
MTC, NY
Christian
Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
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