Until last year, I worked in an office with other people. When you go to work every day, you make a choice about taking God with you. I have to admit that there are times in my life when I didn’t always invite God to go with me. Yes, I know He was there anyway, but I wasn’t inviting Him to help me through the day. I’m sure there were times when He helped me anyway. In Hebrews 13:5, Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 31:6&8 when he reminded believers that God would never leave or forsake His people. There have been days when I remembered this better than others under the stress and pressure of work.
It is easy to believe that we can just get through the day on our own without ever talking to God, but as I matured in my faith walk, I discovered a day was easier or at least more tolerable when I was praying and talking to God all day. There is a feeling and a sense that you have a friend walking with you. Like a wayward child, I also discovered that my behavior was better when I talked to God throughout the day. I complained less. I gossiped less. I more easily dealt with difficult people. I was more pleasant to customers and coworkers.
The words of the following verse came alive as I started talking to God more.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)
We become the people God means for us to be when we open our hearts, let Him in, and ask Him to go everywhere with us.
Looking back, I can remember times when I wish I had asked God to guard my mouth more. In particular, when a coworker told me more about a certain customer, I instantly wished that I had complained at the desk less. I remember being thankful the Lord had helped me when I was confronted by an angry, cussing customer standing next to a grandmother and a little girl. Instead of lashing out, I just calmly told him that I would help him if he would stop cussing! He was instantly apologetic and contrite realizing that he had just made a scene in front of a child.
Working with the public meant I came to understand that sometimes we meet people on a bad day. They might be sick, hurt, grieving, angry, lonely, tired, or hungry. Furthermore, even Christians have bad days on which we aren’t at our best. As I get older, I recognize that I need to ask God to go with me everywhere I go especially if I’m having a bad day myself, and I need to remember that other people might be having a bad day, too. In those moments, I need to ask God to help me show grace to others and ask God for others to show me grace when I’m the one having a bad day.
Whether we are working in an office with others, working from home, serving as homemakers or caregivers, experiencing a time of unemployment, enjoying the retired life, or volunteering, let’s remember to ask God into our day. Feel free to talk to Him anytime. Ask for His help, mercy, grace, and love so that we may give the same to others. Wherever your work is at whatever time of day, ask God to go with you.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23, NKJV)
All Things Subject to Change 