If the Devil Doesn’t Like It, He Can Sit on a Tack

I’ve been working at the bookstore for about a year and a half now. A good six months into the job, several of us were eating breakfast during our morning break before the store opened. Somehow the topic of church came up, and I found out that a coworker was also a member of the church. I had no idea! I’m very ashamed of what happened next: I panicked. I thought back over those six months I’d worked with her and I wondered – had I behaved in such a manner that she would believe I was a fellow sister in Christ?

Sad to say, sometimes working out “in the world” can get the best of us. Our Christian light can be hidden by the corporate taboo of not discussing religion. Unfortunately, I think we can take that as an excuse: “the workplace won’t let me share my beliefs.” When we cave in to that way of thinking, we are more apt to be persuaded by the world. That is to say, our Christian light is hidden under the bushel of workplace gossip and language that isn’t becoming for a child of God.

I know I was certainly like this with my first few jobs out in the world. I didn’t want to be different; I wanted to fit in. Since I discovered my Christian coworker, I wonder if I’ve compromised my Christianity. Although working in the world can be a struggle, just realizing this alone is a big step in getting back on the right track. We can then focus on what we know our weaknesses to be, and we can work to better those by monitoring that behavior and praying about it. We can also realize that even though topics related to religion might be frowned upon in the workplace, that doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference where you work. You can always let your light shine with your attitude and the way you treat others.

By the way, my coworker and I now look out for each other. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect. But it sure is nice having that friendship, fellowship, and accountability!

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, NKJV)