Exodus 33:15-16 “Then Moses said to Him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people for all the other people on the face of the earth?’”
The uniqueness of the desert-wandering nation of Israel was not their numbers, or their accomplishments, strength, determination, or human leadership. Their God made them unique. Their invisible, invincible, always with them, living-in-their-camp God was the difference between them and the rest of the world.
Principle: Our workplace is distinguished by God’s presence in us and with us.
The military gives medals for distinguished service. Speakers at retirement dinners often talk about the distinguished careers of the retiree. A memorial service often emphasizes the distinguishing characteristics of the deceased.
Sometimes there is not much to say. One pastor I heard of asked the attendees at a memorial service to step up to the microphone and say what was good about the deceased, who had been a selfish, unpleasant, stingy person. After a long pause, somebody finally said, “Well, his brother is worse than he was.”
George Barna’s organization tells us that 35-40% of the population in America claims to be born again Christians. That would indicate 60,000,000+ believers in the workplace. So where is the impact on our work culture?
We spend half our lives at work, between 100,000 to 140,000 hours in a lifetime – about a third of our 24-hour day. That is enough time to demonstrate God’s presence where it should make a big difference in our workplace.
The application of faith, the living out of Biblical principles and the presence of God at work can and should be an exciting, unique experience for us and everyone around us.
Our careers ought to be described as distinguished. Not because of whom we are but who God is in us.
Discussion:
1. How is your workplace distinguished by God’s presence in and with you?
2. Describe the person who works this way.
3. What is a first step you could take to be like Jesus at your work?
