Most of us work. And most of us spend at least half our
working hours at work. The average worker spends far more time
in his workplace than with his family or in church. That being
the case, healthy working relationships will go a long way towards
a better life. But that is hard. We all know of impossible bosses
and back-stabbing collegues. What then should our attitudes be?
Outlook Determines Outcome
The Apostle Paul reminds his readers to work heartily, 'as working
for the Lord, and not for men' (Col.3:23-24).
So change your perspective. Know who your Big Boss is. Work for
Christ and know that He takes note of every effort and understands
every good intention. His final assessment will be fair and gracious.
Don't think of work as secular; it is consecrated. This consecrated
perspective of work should revolutionize a believer's actions.
We must give our best and conduct ourselves in sincere and peaceable
manner. Our slack will affect not only our performance appraisal,
but also undermine the efforts of our co-workers. And our godly
witness in the workplace will be collectively diminished.
The Bible does not endorse baloney (justifying actions by pitting
the eternal value of their spiritual acts to God against the temporal
and worldly tasks they have been entrusted with in the workplace).
If the believer in God lets down his employer, he is in fact showing
irreverence to the God he or she should honor at work.
Speech Seasoned with Salt
Besides giving their employer a decent day's work, believing employees
are to relate peaceably with their colleagues, especially those
who are not yet believers in God. In Col.
4:5-6, Paul exhorts his readers to be "wise in
the way (they) act towards outsiders". Particularly, the apostle
mentions the believer's speech because relationships are largely
based on communication.
The words that are exchanged in the daily conversations between
believing employees and their other colleagues are vital in their
relationships. If words are spoken carelessly or callously, conflct
and confrontation may result. Once the relationships at the workplace
are soured, work can become more difficult because cooperation
and team spirit are broken. That is why Paul speaks of the necessity
for the believer to season his or her conversation with 'salt'
and to be 'full of grace'.
The basic rule in any work place is to 'watch your mouth'. Words
spoken are irretrievable and they can soothe the hearer or cause
irreversible damage to an existing relationship. Many conflict
situations at the work place arise because of ungracious speech.
The Key to Healthy Relationships
The key to enjoying healthy workplace relationships is not merely
the avoidance of being the thorn in someone else's flesh, but
exercising patience and acceptance of those who are dissimilar.
The reality that often prevails is that even the most amicable
people will have their times of disagreement. What matters in
times like these would be openness of mind and the willingness
to listen. It is interesting to note that in the Gospels, except
for the demons, Jesus was willing to speak and listen to even
His enemies. Though nothing good repeatedly came from those who
were out to test and trap Him, Jesus made room for them. For His
aggressors who were responsible for His crucifixion, Jesus prayerd,
"Forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing". The
magnanimity of the Lord Jesus should be embraced by every believing
employee and demonstrated at the workplace.
At his retirement, a man well-liked by everyone in the company
was asked by a colleague about his secret for maintaining good
workplace relationships. His answer created an impact when he
quipped, " As a believer, I simply bring Jesus into my work
and conversations. I suppose with Him around, I manage to do things
right!"
With the Lord Jesus around, striking the right chord at work may
be easier than imagined!
Be Encouraged.
A.Othniel
