Taking Faith to Work

No matter where we might work, or attend school, or take part in sporting activities, or even watch children's sporting events, we take the presence of Jesus with us.  So we should act accordingly.  It's not enough to be a Christian where it's easy to behave like one, i.e., in a church setting or a Bible study.  We have been dispatched into the world to be the hands and feet of Christ, and we can depend on the Holy Spirit daily for the resources to live according to His truth.   In Luke 9 (ESV), we can see where Jesus sent out His disciples:
1 And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,
2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.
4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.
5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. ”
6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

New guidelines from the federal government can provide new opportunities for people of faith, including Christians, to live according to their faith principles.  In late July, a FoxNews.com article contained these words:

Federal agencies are now required to protect religious expression in the workplace, according to a new government-wide memo obtained by Fox News Digital on Monday—marking one of the most sweeping moves in decades to defend faith and freedoms in the civil service.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on Monday sent guidance to federal agencies across the Trump administration, detailing the new requirements, which ensure federal workers can display Bibles, crucifixes, or mezuzahs on their desks; pray in groups while off-duty; invite colleagues to church; and speak about their religious beliefs, even to the public, without fear of reprisal.

The memo says: "Allowing religious discrimination in the Federal workplace violates the law. It also threatens to adversely impact recruitment and retention of highly-qualified employees of faith," adding, "The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution robustly protects expressions of religious faith by all Americans—including Federal employees."

Lauren Cooley of the Institute for Faith and Culture, an arm of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, writes: "Religious freedom doesn’t end when the work day begins. Our country was built on the foundational belief that faith belongs in every sphere of life, not just in church pews on Sunday mornings. Yet for too long, American workers have faced confusion, fear, or even discrimination for sharing something as simple as a Bible verse, a cross necklace, or an invitation to a holiday church service."

She echoes the concept of the opportunities this presents for Christian believers, saying: "If the OPM memo reminded America of your rights, let us help you know how to use them wisely to bear fruit for the kingdom."  Cooley adds: "Religious liberty isn’t just a legal issue. It’s a discipleship issue. Christians in every field have a vital role to play in shaping the culture around them. Now more than ever, it’s time to stand firm, speak truth, and live faithfully right where God has placed us."

It's the day following Labor Day, which is a celebration of the American worker.  It can also be a cause for celebration and reflection of a Biblical approach to work.  Our work should reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.  Some throughout the years have faced persecution because they expessed their faith in the workplace.  Now, the Federal government has said that it will no longer discriminate in that way.  It could be a brief respite, but it is a positive step forward in reinforcing the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion.

We should also make sure, for those in the workplace - and wherever we go - that we are modeling a devotion to excellence that I believe pleases our Savior.  We should reflect the presence of Jesus in us, allowing his light to shine through us.  Because we represent Him. Remember, people are watching us, and we don't want to send a message that is inconsistent with what Christ teaches us.  This takes dedication and a constant realization that we are to take up His cross and follow Him.