What’s the problem with (just) being a good employee?

I saw this post on Instagram this week:

How to Represent Jesus in the Workplace

1 Operate in integrity

2 Don’t complain

3 Be honest

4 Do things with excellence

5 Serve/add value to others

6 Be diligent/consistent

7 Pray for those you work with

8 Conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel

As amazing as this list is, I immediately thought, “Something is missing.” Nothing in this list attributes an individual’s stellar behavior to God. Nothing attributes God’s strength as the source of excellence in the workplace. Quite honestly, there are people of all faiths — or even of no faith — who are fabulous employees and meet every item on this checklist, except perhaps praying for coworkers. Sadly, there are Christians who do not meet the eight criteria listed. Makes me cringe. (And sometimes I am cringeworthy.)

Being a good person isn’t enough.   

The way I see it, unless we associate Jesus with our excellent character, we are just seen as good people along with all the other good people. At some point, we need to associate Jesus with our lifestyles, hope, motivation, decision-making, etc. in order for others to have a curiosity about our Savior and an opportunity to know Him.

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:14)

I would add one more item to this fabulous list.

9 Be prepared to give an answer

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… (1 Peter 3:15)

Why was this element left off the list?

Speaking up about Jesus was probably left off the list by accident, but I also know this; It is much easier to just live life as a good person and keep our faith quiet. I understand that navigating faith in a workplace environments requires wisdom. Not all conversations are appropriate at any time. Be wise! But here are some questions for each of us:

Are we living in the tension between wanting to share our faith but also having to wait for God’s timing? (Seriously, do we sometimes feel actual tension in our bodies because of this dynamic?)

Is it bothering us when someone doesn’t know that we love Jesus? (Do we sometimes go home sad about someone not knowing yet?)

Are we traveling through each day hoping for the opportunity to share the reason for our hope with gentleness and respect? (As we head to work each day, is this verse dominant in our mind, or our to-do list?)

Have we become okay with just being a nice person to know?

Living as a nice person is easier than living as a Christian, but just being nice leaves God out. The same is true with just being a hard worker. Settling for just being nice person with a strong work ethic doesn’t leave room for God to show up in spaces we make. Miracles don’t happen. Faith is not needed. The Kingdom is not changed.

Friday, I spoke up.

Perhaps because I had drafted this blog — but hopefully because I try to associate my life with the name of Jesus — I spoke up this past Friday. The man who runs the front desk where our cars are repaired thinks I am a nice lady. I know this because he has told me. We got to talking on Friday about the struggles of life and I said, “I am a Christ follower. I am a Christian. You are going to watch God see us through.”

Now he knows.

Now that the man at the garage knows I am a Christ follower, I am more accountable now. My Savior’s name is at stake in a new way. But Jesus is also accountable too. When He watched me associate His beloved name with my messy life, He most assuredly committed to using the space He gained this week to grow His Kingdom and draw people to Himself. Jesus will stand by me for the sake of His name.

And He will stand by you, too.

Do the people in your life know about your spiritual life? Do you associate your life with Jesus? Are you hoping people guess you are a Christian because you wear a cross necklace or bracelet?

It was hard to type that last question, but I absolutely know we can settle so much into complacency and comfort that we hang our hope on such things. I know, because I have done it.

By God’s grace, may none of us ever become that settled.

Picture Explanation: I also associate myself with these people. I love them!

Speaking of living authentically as a Christ follower: If you are interested in being contacted to participate in a One Gritty Blink Bible study, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and send me an email so I can place you on a list to be contacted as online and face-to-face studies are planned. Let’s not just focus on things in this short life, but also what counts for eternity!

Note: No part of my posts are derived from A.I. Thoughts and writing stem from my mind and heart as I process life week-by-week and continue to grow in my understanding of God and how to apply His wisdom to the world around me.

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