Witness in the Workplace 职场见证

[Dexu Xia]

If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  1 Peter 2:20

 “Are you still upset that I want to reduce the size of your favorite department?” Evelyn’s manager asked. “No.” She tightened her jaw. She was more frustrated that he seemed to be teasing her about it. She’d been trying to help the company by finding ways to draw in different interest groups, but limited space made this nearly impossible. Evelyn fought back tears, but she made the decision to do whatever her manager asked. Maybe she couldn’t bring about the changes she’d hoped, but she could still do her job to the best of her ability.

In the apostle Peter’s first letter, he urged first-century believers in Jesus to submit “to every human authority” (1 Peter 2:13). Maintaining integrity in a tough work situation isn’t easy. But Peter gives us a reason to continue doing good: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God” (v. 12). Additionally, this helps us set a godly example for other believers who are watching.

If we’re in a truly abusive work situation, it may be best to leave if at all possible (1 Corinthians 7:21). But in a safe environment, with the Spirit’s help we can continue to do good in our work remembering “this is commendable before God” (1 Peter 2:20). When we submit to authority, we have an opportunity to give others reason to follow and glorify God.

What do you typically do when you’re in a difficult situation under someone else’s authority? How might God be trying to work in you through this?

Heavenly Father, help me to continue to honor You in my response to those in authority despite the difficult situations I may face. Help me to live each day in a way that glorifies You.

 你们若因行善受苦，能忍耐，这在上帝看是可喜爱的。—彼得前书2章20节

经理问道：“妳还在因为我想缩小妳最喜欢的部门而气恼吗？”艾琳抿了抿嘴说：“没有。”其实令她更沮丧的是，经理似乎是拿这件事奚落她。她一直努力为公司效力，想方设法招揽不同的人才，但因公司的空间有限而徒劳无功。艾琳忍住泪水，决定照经理的话去做。或许艾琳无法带来她所期望的改变，但她仍然可以竭尽所能做好她的工作。

使徒彼得在他所写的第一封书信中，力劝第一世纪的信徒要顺服“人的一切制度，或是在上的君王”（彼得前书2章13节）。要在恶劣的工作环境中保持诚信并不容易，但彼得给了我们保持良好行为的理由：“你们在外邦人中，应当品行端正，叫那些毁谤你们是作恶的，因看见你们的好行为，……归荣耀给上帝”（12节）。此外，这也有助于我们树立敬虔的榜样，让其他观察我们行事的信徒可以效仿。

如果我们处于不友善的职场环境，若是可能，离职是最好的选择（哥林多前书7章21节）。但如果我们处于安全的环境，便应藉由圣灵的帮助，继续尽忠职守，要记得“这在上帝看是可喜爱的”（彼得前书2章20节）。当我们顺服当权者，我们就有机会给他人一个理由去跟从，并将荣耀归给上帝。

当你在当权者之下遇到难处时，
你通常会怎么做？
你觉得上帝要藉此让你学习什么功课呢？

天父，求祢帮助我，
让我对当权者的回应能使祢得荣耀，
帮助我即使在困境中，
仍能以荣耀祢的方式过好每一天！