Everything about our work should display and demonstrate the very work that God is doing in our hearts, minds, and souls. I like to see it this way: as a Jesus Followers, everything about you should be changing, and everyone around you should be benefiting from your faith, whether they believe in Jesus or not.

We are God‘s representative here on earth, showing others who God is through the work that He has done in our lives. We are his hands and feet to the nations. God wants everybody to know how much He loves them and cares for them. Romans 5:8 says, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” God loved that coworker you find mildly annoying, that troublesome client, and that boss who micromanages you so much that He sent his only son to die for them!

No matter which part of the body of Christ you are, you are essential, and your role is significant. No one part of the human body is independent of the other parts of the body. We, as humans, tend to diminish some parts of the body in their significance because they are less visible, but God doesn’t; every part is completely necessary for the functioning of the whole. So which part are you?

When we switch off our faith, nobody gets to benefit from your light… because nobody even knows about your light. Yet, Jesus says that we – you and me - are the light of the world. Therefore, we need to let our light shine before men that they may see the good works that flow from the very Spirit of God inside us!

Your story will not be like mine; your story is your story. BUT it will have something in common: the grace of the cross and the power of Christ. Our lives and stories are like a signature fragrance with the same base note of “Jesus.” And your faith story will seep out of you and impact others long before you realize that anyone is paying attention.

Today, I want to finish talking about our fruit tree, as in our very body that is the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19). Over the last few blogs, we have talked about many aspects of being a believer who produces ripe, lasting spiritual fruit. But one thing we haven’t discussed is what good fruit actually looks like and the impact it has on those around us. The way I see it, our hearts and thoughts grow our attitudes, words, and actions - aka our fruit. They determine if what comes out of us is good or bad.

When we, as believers, plant ourselves in good soil and are well-watered, well-fertilized, and well-pruned, our roots will be strong, and the fruit that we produce will be fantastic! A great fruit tree will not produce great fruit until its roots are strong and it’s had time to mature. So, if you find yourself in a season that feels barren or if God is pruning something away in your life - be patient; the good fruit is coming.

Psalms 92:14 the psalmist paints a picture of lovers of God that “even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green.” That’s what I want for my life. I want to grow strong in my faith over the years so that even in my later years, I’m still producing fruit, vital and green.

What does that look like?

When life shakes us, what fruit – what characteristics – are revealed? How do we respond when we are passed by for a promotion, when the diagnosis is bad, when a friendship is broken, a job is lost, or money is tight? What fruit falls? In these moments – I believe the true condition of a heart is shown.

How do we make disciples of every coworker, customer, and vendor, especially when our jobs seem redundant, boring, stressful, or frustrating? I believe that to carry out the great commission IN our workplace, we have to resolve to change WHO we work for. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” When we realize that ultimately, it’s not our bosses or their bosses or their bosses that we work for, but that we work for God, it changes everything.