I was talking about work the other day with my son, and we got onto the subject of career changes. Some people stay in the same line of work their whole working lives, while others change careers once, twice or numerous times. What's your story? Have you landed in the job that fits you? For some, your career has been a positive experience, for others it's been a frustrating journey. You might love your job, hate your job, or at the moment don't have a job. Whatever your experience has been or is right now, how has your faith played a part?  

 

As we focus on faith at work I thought it might be helpful to share my story. I have been working for 36 years now, 16 years in the building industry as a painter, and 20 years as a pastor. Within those two career paths, there were some changes also. In the building industry, I did a 4 year apprenticeship with the state government, I worked for private enterprise as a tradesman for 5 years, and I was self-employed for 7 years. At 33 years of age I was called into vocational ministry, first as an intern and then as an Associate Pastor at Bridgeman Baptist for 6 years. During that time I also completed a Bachelor of Ministries degree at Malyon college. Then in 2007 Leanne and I, along with a small group of people, were sent out to plant The Grove where I have been Senior Pastor for almost 15 years.   

 

I think that's the first time I have ever written down my career history, and it feels like I am writing a CV! But behind the statistics, like most people's working life, there have been some high points, and some difficult sections of the journey. As we start this Faith at Work series, it got me thinking about how faith has played a part in my working life. As you can imagine, there is quite a contrast between painting and pastoring. But looking back, you might be surprised to hear me say, faith has been just as important in both careers. 

 

The book of James is the New Testament's wisdom book. It's highly practical for engaging faith with daily life. As Jesus' brother, you can tell James was influenced by Jesus' teaching with many parallels to the Sermon on the Mount. It doesn't take long to discover that James thinks faith is fairly useless if it doesn't benefit our lives outside of Sunday. It's Monday to Friday where we need it most. Faith that works, is faith at work. 

 

It was during my painting career that I had a major faith renewal. I was a prodigal who came home to God after years of running away. Early in my renewal I remember one Sunday being prayed for by my Pastor about being a bold witness for Jesus at work, and something radically changed in me. I started seeing opportunities open up to have spiritual conversations. I used to hide my faith before that day, but now I was talking about it with other tradies. As a pastor I sometimes really miss being on the front line on a job site. There was something exciting and adventurous about how the Holy Spirit would create an opportunity at work. I used to feel so alive after a conversation, not because a person accepted what I said; they usually didn't. But because I saw God so involved, full of love and pursuing everyone. I'll never forget painting the back door of a client's house, and sensing the prompt to pray that Jesus would open the door for a chat about the gospel. Before I finished painting that door, the client was outside talking to me and brought up the subject of faith in God. I can't remember what was said, but I can still see that door and the backyard. Powerful experiences somehow imprint a lasting memory. I was blown away that day.  

 

The careers we have are a service to our community, and it's important to work hard and do our best. But as people of faith, there is a larger narrative. Our real boss is Jesus, and he has called us to our work as his witnesses. A simple prayer each day asking God to open doors of opportunity is a prayer God loves to answer. Through our lives, our actions and even our words, we bring salt and light into the front lines of our mission field. We spend most of our time at work, so it makes sense that's where we can have the most impact and influence. When we see work as a calling to a mission field, even the toughest work places can be transformed into exciting opportunities. 

 

As we study the book of James, we are going to learn wisdom for life in the real world. It's a world that looks nothing like what we have ever seen before. But the wisdom we learn works in every culture and circumstance, because it's God's wisdom. I pray God would bless you with fresh insight that will not only bring new joy to your daily work, but many would be blessed because you are among them, reflecting the life of Jesus.

 

May the Lord bless the work of your hands this week. 

Marty

 

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23-24)