By Pat Gangi-Drechsler
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient… 2 Timothy 4:1-2
It’s interesting to see how spiritual disciplines can give us evangelization opportunities in the workplace.
As one who celebrates the season of Lent, the six weeks prior to Easter, that interaction is often quite obvious. It begins with the very human struggle on Ash Wednesday. Do I go to client meetings with ashes on my forehead or not? What will they think or say? It’s not unusual to hear, “Uh, do you know you have a smudge of dirt on your head?” But I’ve also heard, “Oh…that’s right. It’s Ash…. Wednesday. I forgot.
Do you know where I can receive ashes tonight after work?”
I decided several years ago to leave the ashes visible because it usually starts a conversation about my faith walk and allows me to share about the redeeming and sacrificial love of God.
Fasting from meat on Fridays is also a witness. I found myself in charge of a big dinner for a professional association on the first Friday during Lent. When asked why I was adding an extra non-meat option to the menu, I told them it was to accommodate those whose religious practice did not permit them to eat meat on Fridays during Lent. Once again, it was an opportunity to start a faith-based conversation in the workplace.
Even the simple act of saying grace before meals can open up a spiritual conversation. I remember one business lunch in which a quick prayer before my meal made my client aware that I was a Christian, like her. We ended up as close colleagues who prayed about our business interactions.
Do you struggle with outward expressions of your faith in the workplace?