Taking It to Work:
Jesus routinely met and ate with people who we would refer to today as very, very lost. They were the most despised people of that day, and according to the Pharisees, who were regarded as the most Godly of that day, the scum of the earth, sinners. And yet, Jesus had no issue with spending time with them. He talked with them, truly cared about them, and most importantly, gently shined His light into their darkness. The Pharisees, on the other hand, would have much rather hung with each other, and steer clear of that riff-raff; Jesus didn’t like that much. In fact, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, he actually uses a couple priests as the examples of how not to be, when they crossed the road just to avoid someone they thought very little of, even when he was injured and dying on the side of the road.
Seems awful, right? Those claiming to be closest to God avoiding uncomfortable situations with strangers that need their help; people who are obviously injured and may die without their intervention.
Unfortunately, it also sounds awful like me sometimes, and maybe you. We enjoy our Christian circle of friends, but when we see that person who is obviously lost, we look down to avoid eye contact. We see the neighbor who is living with his girlfriend, and we don’t even consider inviting them for dinner. Or we see the person at work, who openly displays their internal injuries by spewing impatience and vulgar language, and we quietly crossover to the other hallway to avoid them. It’s sad, but true; we sometimes are as bad as the Pharisees, and don’t even realize it.
Our workplace is not only a place to make a living, it is also a place God has ordained for us to make relationships, build trust, and grow friendships – even with non-Christians, or maybe I should say, especially with non-Christians. Often, the workplace is where we have the greatest opportunity to influence those who don’t know Jesus, and who are struggling or dying without Him.
Attending church and hanging out with our Christian brothers and sisters is important, and we need it for us to stay encouraged and strengthened, but the ultimate goal of our nourishment is so that we can go out into the world, which is our workplace for most of us, and be the light of Christ we are called to be. Look around. How many people would Jesus have already invited to lunch if He worked at your place. Look with His eyes. Pray for courage to introduce yourself to those He shows you, and don’t forget your/you’re light, as His Word works in you, today.
Luke 19:5-7 (ESV) – And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
Matt 5:14 (ESV) – You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden
Luke 10:31 (ESV) – A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
Where do I send the light – light into light, or light into darkness? You are sent to nourish the hungry, to show those without hope where you have found your own. The coming together of My children is to strengthen, that they go out, returning again for rest and encouragement among the saved, in Spirit and in Word. Let he who has been called come, but when he finds his strength, go he must. To the world of the perishing the light is to shine in the coming together, encouragement and lifting, and again to the harvest. Do not fear those of the world, but call to them in love and leading fellowship. Do not cower from the wicked, as you were once among them. My Spirit is sufficient for the visit, My Word that you might speak truth in My love to the lost. Light the way gently. Great light blinds those accustomed to darkness. Enough to attract, to show the narrow way, I send them to you; with My eyes you will see them.
