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A Place of Sanctification
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Sanctification is the process of making us more and more like Christ, restoring the image of God in us.
The first way that God can bring good out of the stress of the workplace is by using us as marketplace ministers who bring the temperature of the workplace down. God can use us to reduce the stress of the workplace. The second good Dr. Lennox mentions that can come out of workplace stress is our “sanctification.” God wants to use the workplace to do his work in us.
Sanctification refers to the process of God “making us holy.” To sanctify is to set apart for God. When God sanctifies us, we become more like Christ. This is a work that God does in all believers through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Our Relationship with God
In terms of the four relationships, the stress of the workplace can first deepen our reliance on God. In moments of high pressure or ethical dilemma, turning to God in prayer and reflection can become a reflexive habit that strengthens our faith. Challenges at work can remind us of our dependence on God’s wisdom and strength, rather than solely relying on our own abilities. This dependence fosters humility and the recognition that God is the one who is always in control. It allows us to align our professional goals and decisions with God’s will and God’s character.
Workplace stress can also remind us that our central task is to glorify God in all we do. The Fall will inevitably manifest itself in all human systems, including our work. No human system is perfect. This brokenness can remind us of the perfect God we serve and of the fact that we serve as his ambassadors to a broken world. This shift in perspective transforms our work from mere labor into an act of worship and a part of our spiritual service.
Our Relationship to Ourselves
Workplace stress can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. It often reveals our weaknesses, impatience, pride, or tendency to rely on our own strength. Recognizing these aspects of ourselves can lead to a deeper understanding of our need for God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s transformative power in our lives. As we encounter our limitations, we learn to cultivate virtues such as patience, perseverance, and resilience.
Our reactions to stress and pressure can reveal areas in our character that need God’s refining touch. This process of sanctification involves a growing awareness of who we are in Christ. It can lead to increased confidence and peace in the Lord rather than in our own achievements. It teaches us to find our worth not in our job title or professional success but in God’s unchanging love and grace.
Our Relationships with Others
Our interactions in the workplace will provide many opportunities to practice Christ-like love, patience, and humility. Dealing with challenging colleagues or clients can teach us forgiveness and understanding, as we mirror Christ’s unconditional love for us. Workplace conflicts and challenges can become occasions to practice peacemaking, kindness, and empathy, reflecting the character of Christ to those around us.
The workplace also allows us to practice servant leadership. We follow Jesus’ example of serving rather than being served. It challenges us to look beyond our ambitions to the needs and well-being of our colleagues, fostering a culture of mutual respect and care. This aspect of sanctification moves us from self-centeredness to a Christ-centered approach in our interactions, where the love of Christ guides our relationships and responses.
Our Relationship with the World
Finally, the workplace is a platform for Christians to engage with and impact the world. It provides a context to practice stewardship of what God has entrusted us with. We can reflect God’s justice and righteousness in a fallen world by our integrity and ethical behavior when it would be easier to fudge a little. Our response to workplace stress can be a testimony of our faith. We can showcase how reliance on God can bring peace and wisdom in stressful situations.
Inevitably, the workplace offers us a sphere in which to live out the Great Commission. We are witnesses of Christ’s love and grace. Our conduct in the face of stress and pressure can be a powerful witness to the transformative power of the gospel. It is an opportunity to demonstrate how faith in Christ can bring about a different approach to work. The world will take notice if we prioritize people over profit, service over self-advancement, and eternal values over temporal gains.