Christians in the boardroom

Matt10:33-"But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven'"

Mark 8:38-" If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father's glory with the holy angels."

While listening to one of my great role models Ibukun Awosika, she spoke on believers in the boardroom and spoke about how she is a Christian who is assigned to business. She also made mention of being the only church someone might ever encounter in your workplace or place of business. That struck me!

Then I thought, what is the first thing people think of when they remember you in the office? who do you represent and what are your values as a Christian at work? Being in the office space myself made me realize how challenging being a Christian can be and how people can actually make you feel different. The workplace can put so much pressure on you and make you either pretend to be who you are not or shy away from speaking about your faith. It's even harder when you are working in a foreign country. I am a Nigerian and being a Christian in Nigeria at work might not necessarily be an issue or news to anyone as Nigeria is one of the places to have the most churches and Christian believers. I am currently in the UK and people don't really talk about their faith here, especially at work. It is also difficult to try not to say God in a sentence and I know this is something that can be challenging for many because I don't think we can go a day without mentioning God as believers either "thank God" or "by the grace of God" or even the popular saying" it is well". Please let me know if you also relate to this in the comment section below.

However, this is not enough reason for us to compromise our faith at work as I am including myself. In the bible we have great examples of people who did not allow their environment to affect their belief I will be using Daniel, Shadrach, Meshac and Abednego.

King Nebuchadnezzar Made a decree:

“and whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.3.11.KJV

But the three Hebrew boys refused to do this even with the pressure of death.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.3.16-18.KJ

And because of their loyalty to the kingdom of God what did God do? He showed up!

“He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Daniel‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.3.25.KJV

The same happened to Daniel who was working with unbelievers but he boldly made his faith known which is why they conspired to kill him. But the Lord showed up and did not allow the lions to devour him when he was thrown into the lion's den.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.6.10.KJV

And what did our Heavenly Father do again he showed up!

“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.6.22.KJV

From these examples, we can see that God will always show up when we find ourselves in difficult and challenging situations even at work if we stand by him and pray to him. He never said he will leave us and you are not alone. So, if you are going through pressure at work don't worry do not allow the fear of rejection to stop you as you are supposed to stand out. keep being an ambassador of Christ and He will show up. For God said, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/jos.1.5.KJV

And if you feel like you have not been necessarily true to your faith at work, you can always ask God for help and he will help you. Peter denied Jesus 3 times but God still forgave him and he was still able to win many souls to Christ.

I have also come to learn this and now trying my best with the help of the Holy Spirit to speak boldly about my faith. For example:

I was asked to do a presentation when I started a new position on my background as it was black history month. I spoke about my faith and even showed them the church I attended in Nigeria and everyone loved it, people actually accept you for who you are and even if they don't remember it's not about them but God.

Another very important point is that you don't need to force it down people's throats as sometimes people get this wrong by giving subtle threats of hell for not being a Christian or judging others but you can do it with the love of God.

As the bible says “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.12.14.KJV

I also remember a story of Former Paul now David Yongi Cho, before he died. Was first preaching gospel of condemnation and only few people followed him but after God cautioned him that his Gospel is for peace and lifting with comfort, he pastored over 700,000 church members before he was called to glory. We need to preach gospel of peace and not codemnation.

“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

https://bible.com/bible/59/rom.12.3.ESV

In summary, we don't even have to go through half of what these people went through in the bible just to prove our faith but it is so hard for us now. Jesus did not die on the cross for us to hide but to be bold and preach the word of God not just through our mouths but also who we are as individuals no matter where we find ourselves as 2 Timothy 1:7 says for God has not given us the spirit of fear.....you don't know who is watching and whose soul you might be saving for just being true to your faith! And like Acts 14:3 it is demonstrating your boldness in Christ that your miracle is delivered.

Lets Prays:

God please give me the spirit of boldness just like you gave your apostles who preached about you unashamedly. Even at my place of work let me be able to represent Christ. In Jesus name Amen.

Now go to work and be bold about your faith!

Peace.