How to share your faith without losing your job
Derek Hamby
There are mornings where everything is going right. My son wakes up smiling, eats his breakfast, and doesn’t cry when I drop him off at daycare, and I hit every green light. Those mornings I feel as if I can give the Holy Spirit a high five.
Then I walk into work. Someone is gossiping about a decision they don’t like, or I get frustrated because someone called in sick and I have to cover for him. Even in a job you love, there are days where you feel the life is being pulled right out of you.
Even in a job you love, there are days where you feel the life is being pulled right out of you.
Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
As Christians, our presence should feel like light entering a dark room. But there are days where I feel like my light — the Holy Spirit shining through me — switches off as soon as I walk in the door at work. It is not always easy to be a Christian in a non-Christian workplace.
3 Obstacles We Have to Overcome When Talking About Jesus at Work
1. It is against the law to openly share my faith at work.
As a teacher, I can empathize with this. There are days when I’m mentoring students who are lost, and I know what I need to tell them about is Jesus—but I can’t. These are the times when I have to believe that actions speak louder than words. When I have conversations with students, do they know I care about them? Are the fruits of the Spirit — love, joy peace patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control — so evident in my life that students can see the difference Jesus makes without me saying a word? (Galatians 5:18-25)
2. I feel alone in my faith at work.
It can be overwhelming and intimidating to talk about Jesus when you feel like you’re the only Christian in your workplace. But what if the isolation and opposition you feel is an opportunity to grow your own faith?
When we’re not surrounded by other Christians, it forces us to lean more heavily on the Holy Spirit within us. God always plants us in environments where we can grow. Your non-Christian workplace could be just the challenge you need to grow in your prayer life. Psalm 145:18 promises, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
The more we speak with God, the more we feel His presence. When you feel alone in your faith, accept the challenge to reach up to God then out to others.
3. They always say no when I invite them to church.
Inviting coworkers to church is one way to share your faith, but it’s not the only way. Your coworkers might not be willing to jump in and attend church, and that’s OK. Stories of great faith often start with great friendships.
Invite someone to lunch and pick up the bill. Invite your coworkers to do things you both enjoy, whether it is a cookout or pick-up basketball. Jesus tells us to love others, and the best way to love our coworkers is by investing in a relationship with them (Mark 12:30-31). You never know, your willingness to pursue a relationship might be the cord of trust that leads to them accepting an invitation to church.
The workplace is one of the greatest ministry opportunities for Christians. The challenge can be daunting, but the reward is far greater than the challenge.