Faith At Work
- Reflecting God's Character (1)
- It's All About Love (3)
- Here I am. Send me! (4)
- Salt and Light in the Office (5)
I was asked to reflect on my experiences after reaching what some might call the ‘top of the tree’ and what it’s like to be a Christian in that environment. However, there is no top of the tree. No matter how high someone climbs, there is always another peak. In fact, God is the true top! It’s comforting to remember that he is our ultimate and perfect boss. Colossians 3:23 reminds us: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart and reverence for the Lord.’
Looking back on my career, I feel fortunate. I’ve had the privilege of working in various countries, serving on boards across different industries and collaborating with ministers in government. I’ve led large teams, been responsible for significant budgets and landed changes impacting millions of people. None of this would have been possible without the Lord’s help. His direction has allowed me to navigate challenges, and he has surrounded me with good people. Despite my flaws, he still uses me for good in the roles he’s placed me in. That still amazes me.
As a Christian, I am able to speak to thousands of colleagues and encourage them to embrace the concept of loving their neighbour as themselves. I have the chance to help others see how organisations thrive when individuals care for one another and for themselves. While we may not always be able to share the gospel directly, we can share the values God has laid out for us. It’s incredible how these ideas resonate with colleagues and point to Jesus.
Love
As a leader, I strive to be myself, acknowledging my imperfections. My guiding star is to love the Lord with all my heart, soul and strength, and to love my neighbour as myself. When I lead with that mindset, it’s amazing to see the remarkable things that can be achieved.
Roles with significant responsibility come with challenges. At times, it can feel lonely, and anxiety can easily take hold. It’s easy to question decisions or second-guess choices. High-level positions expose weaknesses and can be lonely. During these times, I reflect on Daniel, who remained steadfast in faith when everything seemed to fall apart, especially in the lion’s den. I also think of Joseph, who, despite his integrity, found himself wrongly imprisoned. Yet, he continued to serve the Lord, using his gifts for God’s glory, even when all seemed lost.
Use your God-given skills well
There are moments when I wonder if I’ve bitten off more than I can chew! I recall the wise words of Tim Keller, who advised that we seek roles that best use our skills to help others. I try to do this with God’s help, one day at a time, trusting he will guide me. At the end of each day, I thank God for his help and each specific answered prayer.
At times, I doubt whether I’m truly making a difference, but then I remember the humble fishermen Jesus used to establish his church, now a global community of billions. I’m reminded that, if we use our gifts for others and do it with all our hearts for God’s glory, he can do incredible things through us. As Luke 18:27 reminds us, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’
As a Christian at work, my guide is this:
Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength, and love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:33).
These words guide me in the small and the large things, in work and at home. Whether in business, leadership or personal relationships, ‘success’, no matter where we are ‘on the tree’, comes down to these words of Jesus on love.
