13. When I work with Jesus, it often deepens my relationship with others.

(Before looking at the questions below, take a few minutes to think about this statement. Invite Jesus to speak to you about what He would like you to notice.) 

DO YOU ENJOY THE PEOPLE YOUR WORK WITH? ARE SOME OF THEM YOUR FRIENDS?

DO YOU TEND TO VALUE PEOPLE AS PRECIOUS AND VALUABLE AS PERSONS OR ONLY TO THE DEGREE THAT THEY ARE EFFECTIVE?

WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR, HOW DO YOU SEE YOUR WORTH? HOW DOES THIS SHAPE HOW YOU VALUE OTHERS?

The workplace environment often includes stress, relational conflicts, and pressure to perform. Employers and owners often seem to value employees only for what they can accomplish. The bottom line, the profit margin, is usually the primary objective. In this situation, healthy relationships tend to be undervalued.

But we were created to be connected to others and live in relationship with others. We flourish most when we can share our lives with others. It is possible for our work relationships to flourish if we make that a priority and if we include Jesus in the task. Working with Jesus means that we take on his perspective about our work and that we invite his Spirit to join us in our work. Jesus teaches us to be faithful and loyal workers and servants.

Jesus also invites us to value people over outcomes, the eternal over the temporary. Loving the hard-to-love person is another value that Jesus teaches. Making these ideas true in our work often requires a strength outside of ourselves. Jesus’ Spirit can be that helper. When we work with Jesus and his Spirit, we experience the joy of a shared experience with our Creator.

This in turn leads to a deepening relationship with those we work with. We show respect for others. We are patient with them. We offer grace to others and experience joy in them. We find that competition turns into companionship, criticism becomes care, and conflict leads to compassion. On our own this is impossible but when we work with Jesus, all things are possible.