Interacting with Others at Work
If you're a young professional on Instagram, or just about any social media really, you've no doubt seen creators share videos about the corporate working experience. Whether they're laughing about common corporate jargon (like "What did you do over the weekend?") or satirically complaining about customers at work, this media is popular because it is relatable. Who among us hasn't gotten frustrated about some detail of our work?
And yet, videos like this lead me to ponder. How, as Christians, can we shine a light as we interact with our colleagues, with third parties, and those we serve in our workplaces?
Remember who they are.
One of the most important things to remember is that the people with whom you interact are at the very least images of God. They are what you are, and you should treat them how you want to be treated. You would want to be treated with kindness and respect, and as a Christian, treating your people in the same way is one way we can let our lights shine so that all may see and glorify God who is in heaven.
Instead of complaining about a teammate who barely does his part, encourage him in front of your colleagues. Instead of grousing about clients or customers who demand a lot from you, or express anger at you from stress, breathe a minute - we have all been there. Then pray for them and do good for them. Instead of screaming at third parties... you get the point. While this is counterintuitive, it can be seen as a way to become more like Christ by growing in patience (James 1:4). Starting from a position of equality- you both are images of God - can help make things easier. Instead of dehumanizing the person you're interacting with, you can choose to see them as fully human, and in doing so love your neighbor as yourself. Furthermore, if you interact with fellow Christians in your workplace, you owe them a duty to do good to them as well (Galatians 6:10).
These are your brothers and sisters in Christ; as a legal family, interact with them with the love the Father showed you.
Remember who you are
Indeed, a discussion on the family of God fits neatly with a discussion on roles in the kingdom of God. As a daughter of God, the King of Kings, you are not merely a figurehead with no power. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit lives on the inside of you, and he has empowered you to do good works. This includes serving him as an ambassador - a representative - of God, engaging in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:10).
In practice, this changes the way you work with other people. Whereas others may be selfishly ambitious, seeking to get ahead at all costs, you can consider those you work with more highly than yourself and help them if they need it, even if it means temporarily leaving your duties. Where others might do only the bare minimum, you can, as you are able, work above and beyond to the glory of God and the good of your employer.
Remember who God is.
In addition to describing us as ambassadors of Heaven, the Bible describes us as citizens of that kingdom. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we work for Him, and not merely our employer. That is to say, in addition to being our Savior, our God is our Master. And yet, God is not like the masters of this world who tend to lord it over those under them (Matthew 20:25). No! He serves, and He served us in the most beautifully extreme way by giving up his Son as a sacrifice for us, even though we did not deserve it (Romans 5:8). Indeed, God the Son laid down his life for us of his own accord as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45; John 10:18).
Nevertheless, the truth remains that as we work, our God is our Lord. When we interact with others, we should remember that God is omnipresent. He is not unaware of both our labor of love and how we fail to reflect Him in our dealings with others. Both provide reasons for hope, the former by helping us remember that our work is not in vain, and the latter by reminding us that when we fail, God will forgive us and help us repent (1 John 1:9).
Therefore, we should work heartily, as unto the Lord and not unto man (Colossians 3:23-24). Instead of complaining with your colleagues about how horrible your job is, thank God that you have work and encourage your colleagues to press on, even if and when it gets hard. Instead of performing eyeservice for your manager, seek to do right by him or her by working diligently even if he or she can't see you at all times (Ephesians 6:6). After all, you report to someone higher.
This is not easy; throughout this article, I've been talking to myself! But as Christians, we live by the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:9). If we ask Him for help in interacting Christianly with people as we work, he will help us because there is nothing, he wants to do more than to transform us into the image of God’s Son (Romans 8:29).