The Crucible of Faith
by Steve Stoner
 In the New Collegiate Dictionary, one of the definitions of the word "crucible" is "a harsh, searching test." It is my sincere conviction that one of the places where a believer's faith is consistently exposed to a "harsh, searching test" is in the workplace. Why? Because it is where two kingdoms collide.
One is the kingdom of the world with its philosophy of serving yourself, getting ahead at any cost and its definition of success as measured by the material. The other is the Kingdom of God and its thrust of serving others, considering others as more important than yourself and living by faith, not by sight. This collision causes believers to make choices every day of which kingdom values they will pursue. It would be easier if the believer was isolated and able to think clearly and pray about each decision and its implications, but in the fast-paced world of work, there are many other factors that influence decisions. The company culture, the beliefs of management and the goals of the organization, which often conflict with Kingdom principles, cause the believer to walk a tightrope of being a good employee and being an obedient servant of the living God.
But is it really a tightrope? The Bible is clear that no one can serve two masters yet every day many believers attempt to do just that. On the one hand they seek to honor God and on the other they seek to satisfy the company's interests. Many find it easier to simply put their faith on hold while at work, reasoning that the job is important for the welfare of their family and, after all, God commands us to care for our family's needs so it is important to keep the boss happy and work within the confines of the organizational culture. God will understand. So, for 8-12 hours each day, the believer, the child of God, the declared Ambassador of Christ, lives under the authority of the kingdom of the world and then wonders why they are experiencing so much stress, lack of joy, lack of peace and fruitlessness. Is it any wonder? continue reading ... |
God's Construction Zone - A Testimony
featuring BLE Small Group Member Steven Holt
A break room at a construction and engineering firm may not sound like the most likely place to find a Bible study, but for Steven it is the ideal meeting spot. Steven attends a small group meeting there every other week led by BLE's Steve Stoner. Steven can testify that in the three years he has been a member, these regular discussions have helped him identify his role as a Christian in the workplace and equipped him to share with his co-workers what God has done for and through him.
Steven says the in-depth studies "made me take a good look at my relationship with Jesus" and take that relationship more seriously. He knows that the small group studies, along with consistent church involvement have "helped me grow in my walk with Jesus" and shown him how to blend his spiritual life with his work life.
"I see a direct correlation between my relationship [with Jesus] growing and being blessed at work," he says.
The group tends to have core members but also several different people who will attend. Steven says this makes it a dynamic group and he enjoys seeing a wide variety of people exposed to God's Word as a result.
The group continues to develop, with more and more people in the company discovering God's Word and seeking to know Him more. As Steven points out from Isaiah 55:11, "[God's Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
To read more stories like Steven's, visit the Testimonies page by clicking here. |
