Champion Your Work Life by Steven Vongchanh

One of the hardest things to do is testify of Christ in the work place. I would like to share with you the most recent opportunity I have had and lay out some where, when, why, and how to do's.

I was recently transferred from one store location to a new location a few months ago. Part of my transfer agreement was to transfer my leadership team along with me. One of these individuals, aside from being a huge support to me, is a part of our Christian community and is a spiritual accountability partner to me and we are able to hold each other accountable for our actions in the work place.

Another great blessing of having a spiritual accountability partner in the work place is the comfort in knowing that we don't have to go at this Christian walk alone. We are able to have our side conversations, casting light and word, and if a by stander picks up anything we are throwing down, then we have an opportunity to germinate and grow seeds. My days have been stressful at times. I always seem to be busy. All the while, we have been "throwing seeds" that maybe they fall along some good soil. 

One of the young ladies we work with is a proclaimed atheist. Her family had raised her in a church, but the religion got in the way and stopped her spiritual growth. What do I mean by religion got in the way? I would like to say that the old school church messages of do's and do not's and the can'ts and should not's, the laws churches have laid out similar to the old testament law do very little in helping someone progress spiritually and can, and in this case, turn individuals away from pursuing a relationship with God our father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

As we were opening our store the other day, I believe the conversation started on a political view. It took a quick turn as I put everything in God's hands and his ultimate plan. And she commented "you're a creationist aren't you?" And the door opened.

I can't recount the entire conversation because at that point in the day, the Holy Spirit took over, but we talked about creation, big bang, how a day now is a revolution around the sun and who knows what a day was back then. Ultimately I was able to share how for the longest time I had gone through this life rejecting God and living life as I would see fit and how I had gotten nowhere. And now as I have turned backed and surrendered everything how blessed I have been. And that because I have a testimony of Jesus Christ that I don't have to adopt all the different views of creation but just like I can flip a light switch knowing a light will turn on, since I know He has saved me, I, in turn, know that He created all things. I don't need to know how electricity works, nor do I need to know how everything was created, but knowing it works is enough for me.

I would be doing a disservice to you if I ended here so let me ask you, how can you have opportunities like this in your work place? First, pray and study. Stay in the word. Fest on the teachings and words of others. The scriptures used to be kept in temples and synagogues and were used to teach the church body. Because of the industrial advancements we have made, we all have the opportunity to read and study at home, but the scriptures were meant to be shared, so teach somebody. I have had the opportunity in my line of work to bring biblical principles into our decision making process as a leadership team. I like to use the introduction to a thought or idea as,  "In this book I read....." So read it and share it. If you have a fellow Christian that works with you, have daily conversations with them, develop a relationship. Christ sent missionaries out in two's and you can half of that equation. If you don't have someone you know, cast light and life, spread seeds along the ground. Pray about them. If there is anything I do know, I know there is power in prayer. As we do these things, we may or may not have similar experiences in bringing people to Christ, but it is the experience and practice we each gain from sharing. We will be leaders of tomorrow, in our work places, homes, churches and communities. Take the opportunities today to practice your gifts and testimony.