Holy Work...

Often times I run into people that I used to work with at Shaw. Since I spent almost 14 years there, working in seven different plants/locations I racked up a lot of good friends, and had an amazing time. In all honesty the most frequent statement is, "I bet you're glad you got out of there." I don't think people really hate it, I think they are just assuming that my work in ministry now is just so much more fulfilling and exciting.

My response to them is always the same: I absolutely LOVED working for Shaw. Don't get me wrong, working at Rock Bridge is the fulfillment of my heart's dream. Every time I interviewed for a new position within Shaw the question would come out, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" Every time I responded that I hoped to be in full time ministry. So working at Rock Bridge is my little boy God-put-it-in-my-heart dream come true.

But I also loved being in the secular work place. I realized over time how much an impact God could have on people's lives there. I saw Christians in the work place coming in every day, giving everything they had to work hard, make good product, love their co-workers, and go home and love their families and their communities. I saw "creelers" and lift truck drivers with simple but profound faith that would pray and seek God. I met mechanics that ended up being like second fathers to me, encouraging my faith. I worked with supervisors who became my closest friends! One took me to the craziest pentecostal healing service I've ever been to in my life! The "healer" ended up being on 60 Minutes as a fraud! I still laugh about that night!

I've worked with Customer Service agents, Sales VP's, from top to bottom who tried to act fairly, but mercifully, to treat their customers right and treat their fellow employees well. Many, many days I saw Jesus in the work place. I was profoundly pastored and affected by the Quality Manager of one plant where I worked.

I came to realize as a manager, with people I was responsible for leading, that God cared very deeply about my responsibility and he cared very deeply about how I treated people. Many times He rebuked me when my own ego or selfishness hurt others. The weight of the responsibility of leadership is huge and heavy when I carry it outside of the Holy Spirit. But when I carry it with Him, walking in absolute obedience to Him, I saw improved morale, better results, miracles in our midst, and Jesus honored gloriously. I saw many people come to know Jesus because of the faithful and steady encouragement of a co-worker.

I believe the workplace can be hallowed ground, full of the power of God. God's first command to Adam in Genesis was to "be fruitful... and fill the earth and subdue it." Basically, get out there and make the world a better place because of your presence. Most people will never work in a church, but every Christian on the face of the earth is called to full-time ministry. The question is will they see that call and pursue it, or waste it and let God moments pass them by....

I've had enough...

Recently I’ve been reading the book of Acts. I am always amazed that the no matter how many times I have read something, God always brings new truth out for me to see. Lately He has been wrecking me, and convicting me, but…. stirring my heart and my imagination for what CAN BE.

Acts 4:13 says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” All my life I spend so much time equipping myself, trying to learn and grow and be a better follower of Christ. I spend so much time on the equipping, not realizing that I spend so little time on courage.

Matt brought out this last weekend a powerful point in Hebrews 5:12, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers…” Of all people I should be “teaching” those around me all I can about Jesus! I should be giving what I have away! I am so self-centered and fearful of failure and rejection! How can this be? From my own reading of what happens in the house churches in China and India and in many foreign countries, there are pastors and church leaders equipping and raising up others with passionate faith, and they have less bible knowledge and equipping than our children who have grown up in Sunday Schools and children’s church! I realize from the book of Acts that the missing ingredient for me and for us as Christians in the American church is COURAGE!

I fear the rejection and the repercussions of living courageously for Jesus. I fear the cost. Well I have had enough of fear. I have had enough of self-centered “feed me” American Christianity. I have had enough of staring enviously at those disciples who were uneducated ordinary men, and the incredible impact they had on our world. The disciples spent three years with Jesus and then changed everything because they lived radically dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit, and they knew that if they would GO out courageously, God would meet them there powerfully.

I’m going! And I know God will meet me there, too!