Taking It to Work:
I had a coworker in my earlier days who wore the same, exact outfit every day. Ray was an older gentlemen who was an ex-military, no-nonsense, get-‘er-done kind of person. He hated inefficiency and waste, and many years prior had decided that deciding what to wear everyday was part of that waste. So, everyday he’d show up for work in a light-blue, short-sleeved oxford, and a pair of business-casual khakis.
We would tease him about it. Actually, one day the entire team, about fifty of us, all decided we were going to have a Ray-Day. So without him knowing we planned it, we all showed up that Monday in blue oxfords and Khaki Dockers. The whole morning went by with our team passing him by in the hall, trying to hold back our smirks, but would you believe that he didn’t even notice? He just went about his work, as serious as a heart-attack. It wasn’t until later that afternoon in a big meeting where he was giving a presentation, that he finally clued in from everyone chuckling uncontrollably, all dressed in Ray-attire.
He didn’t think it was very funny. “Something is wrong with you people,” he said, with a hint of a smile. Then he just went back to his presentation. Later that week his wife sent us a picture of his closet, which had about ten pairs of khakis with matching blue shirts, all ironed and ready to go.
What’s the point of sharing that story? Well, Ray made a real impression on me. There was an aspect of his consistency that appealed to me, spiritually. He was rock solid, undeterred, and all about his mission. Not even the razzing of his entire team, for an entire day, could knock him off-center.
I know as a Christian in the workplace, or anyplace for that matter, God calls me to be steadfast in who I am, in my speech, my demeanor, my attitude, how I treat people, and how I react to challenges and trials. Through it all, rain or shine, every day of the week, I’m to consistently “put on” Christ in every circumstance.
That means my mood, my mindset, my character does not fluctuate with good and bad situations. My choice of vocabulary doesn’t degrade with stress or growing pressure. My steady patience with people and problems is unwavering, not because I’m that good, but because instead of a blue shirt and Khakis, I put on Christ, and it is all the wardrobe I should ever need, or ever want.
What Ray represented to me was someone, regardless of what was going on around him, who stayed true to who he was, and what he thought important. My prayer is that we each learn to have that kind of unwavering, God-honoring, Jesus-reflecting presence, rain or shine, Monday thru Sunday, as His Word works in us today.
Matt 7:25 (ESV) – And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
Luke 6:45 (ESV) – The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Rom 13:14a (NIV) – Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ…
Ps 78:35 (ESV) – They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.
Ps 40:2 (ESV) – He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
Listening to the Holy Spirit (Rhema):
There is meaning in dress. For those important there exists one attire, for rest, another, for the workplace, yet another. For in outward appearance a message is conveyed – some to impress, others to express. The same is of the heart, for the mouth is the expression of the heart within. Words are the dress of the true man and expression of his soul. As you dress the body, so too, be mindful of your speech. As you work, you express. The scowl is poor dress for a child of the Most High. Harsh words, slander, and the profane, soil the robe given to carry My blessing to those around you. Speak the dress that is appropriate for those I love, and call to My cross of grace. They will know Me through you. Dress your speech honorably, as for those who one day may become My children as well. You are placed in your place at work; dress for the eternal work in which you are called.
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