Taking It to Work:
We have heard it many times, “There is strength in numbers.” It’s true in every corner of the animal kingdom, in the kingdoms of men, and it is also true in the Kingdom of God. We are better, stronger, smarter, and usually behave a lot better when we are surrounded by other strong followers of Christ.
Being together is good for us. We learn from each other, encourage one another, and in times of adversity, we stand with one another. That is what the church gathering is all about. That is why in Hebrews is says that we should not forsake it. We may get to hear a great sermon, and praise with some of the most talented in the church, but it is the coming together of believers where lives change and the power of God becomes manifest in our world. If you have ever walked into a church alive in the Spirit, there is no mistaking His presence. There is power in the gathering and relationships of believers.
Now let’s look at our workplace. Often, there are other Christians within a stone’s throw of where we spend our workday. They may be co-workers, bosses, subordinates, customers, vendors, or even the waiter at your favorite deli right across the street. Now, depending on your workplace, it may be hard to identify your brothers and sisters in Christ. You can go years, or maybe a career with never connecting on that most personal spiritual level. It’s like having a guy work right beside you, that, when it’s too late, you found out was a brother you never knew you had!
I personally have spent years right down the hall from another strong believer, in which we never connected. We didn’t know. I also had a director, whom I was intimidated by at first, that I ended up doing a mission trip with, and a three-year discipleship program. Why? Because we found out we were brothers in the Lord, and we both ended up stronger for it, and our workplace benefitted as well.
Make it a point to find and connect with other believers in your workplace. Grab lunch regularly, develop the friendship, maybe meet for a quick prayer in the morning, and if there are enough of you, it may be a great start to a weekly bible study right there at work. Remember, where two or three are gathered . . . He is there, and so is the power that accompanies His presence. The gathering together is not just for Sunday, it is for the workday as well, as His Word works in your workplace, today.
Neh 8:4 (ESV) – And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
Matt 18:20 (ESV) – “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) – And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Great is the man who stands for the Lord with many witnesses. The greatest strength of a man is not the man alone, but He who resides in the man, and those who stand with the man. Your influence in the workplace is stronger in group. If My Word and ways are to be shown through you, surround yourself with those of like mind and heart, for in the gathering goes My Church. Those of the past that have glorified Me the most, have done so in holy formation. Even if a man speaks alone, his strength is found in those who surround him. Call to Me, and I will call to them, that you will see them and become one of heart and mind; in this your strength will become My own. Your influence in the workplace is not only of yourself; it is called to greater life with those who also call My Name.
