Like many of you, my company doesn’t let workers off early for Good Friday. And I’m not complaining.
What most workplace faith commentators fail to recognize -- is that true workplace faith actually transcends mere accommodation. One example is the recent CNN piece about ‘religion in the workplace.’
As expected, they concentrated on external accommodations – prayer rugs, Sabbath days off, freedom of religious speech, and clothing.
As Red Letter Believers, we don’t look for special exceptions because of our faith.
To complain about my ‘rights’ only minimizes the essence of what being a true follower of Christ is all about. I don’t want to be known for my faith because I won’t work a certain day of the week. I don’t want to be known for my faith because my coworkers want a different radio station. I don’t want my faith to be defined because I am offended at crass language. To be a person of ‘nots’ only downplays the transcendent God who has given me supernatural power to change the world.
And Workplace faith goes far beyond allowance for prayers or head coverings or Holy Days. Workplace faith is really about transforming the workplace because of the value of faith-based workers who are ready to meet the call.
My faith shouldn’t be defined by what offends me. Instead, my faith is defined by the awesome God who motivates me and has changed me. I want my company to value my work, because I don’t labor for man alone – but ultimately, for God.
What most workplace faith commentators fail to recognize -- is that true workplace faith actually transcends mere accommodation. One example is the recent CNN piece about ‘religion in the workplace.’
As expected, they concentrated on external accommodations – prayer rugs, Sabbath days off, freedom of religious speech, and clothing.
As Red Letter Believers, we don’t look for special exceptions because of our faith.
To complain about my ‘rights’ only minimizes the essence of what being a true follower of Christ is all about. I don’t want to be known for my faith because I won’t work a certain day of the week. I don’t want to be known for my faith because my coworkers want a different radio station. I don’t want my faith to be defined because I am offended at crass language. To be a person of ‘nots’ only downplays the transcendent God who has given me supernatural power to change the world.
And Workplace faith goes far beyond allowance for prayers or head coverings or Holy Days. Workplace faith is really about transforming the workplace because of the value of faith-based workers who are ready to meet the call.
My faith shouldn’t be defined by what offends me. Instead, my faith is defined by the awesome God who motivates me and has changed me. I want my company to value my work, because I don’t labor for man alone – but ultimately, for God.
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4 Comments so far, click here to add your own:
Wonderful insights! External displays of our faith in the workplace are not necessary because we can worship and speak to God all day long on the inside and continue to develop our relationship with Him.
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our friends over at goodword editing also posted about the CNN article.
Some excellent observations:
http://www.goodwordediting.com/index.php/2008/03/11/cnn-talks-about-faith-in-the-workplace/
What you are saying is really important. Can you imagine Daniel, Joseph, or Nehemiah annoying their bosses for small accommodations or complaining about their rights? Sure there are big issues about which we might be forced to take a stand. Sadly, Christians today are known more for what we are against than what we are for. And who wants to be part of a group that's against everything. Nothing attractive about that! Daniel, Joseph, and Nehemiah made huge impacts on the pagan kings they worked for by the quality of their work combined with the quality of their character. That's how they showed thier faith.
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