“ –that you may be filled to measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19b)
By Brian Dahl
We work with a client that sells utility poles, foundational pilings, fence posts, and architectural mass timber to electric power utilities, telecom providers, and construction companies.
From the surface, their business is very niche and under the radar. It’s the kind of company that you don’t know exists unless you’re directly involved in their industry. But beneath the surface is a family enterprise of people who truly love Jesus.
This underpinning of deep faith changes everything about the company. Ephesians 3:17a explains why: “So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” and in 3:19b: “–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
As a small business owner who also loves Jesus, I love this invitation to surrender control of our work to the Spirit. The tradeoff Paul communicates is astonishing. By surrendering, we receive:
- Strengthening of our inner spirits out of God’s glorious riches.
- The indwelling of Christ in our hearts.
- Being filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
It’s almost too wonderful to be true.
For our client, they express this hard-to-wrap-your-mind-around reality for Christ followers in their company mission statement: “To radically love and influence people.”
I’ll remind you, they sell utility poles.
But here’s the thing. When you come to work with Jesus in your heart and the Holy Spirit as your guide, your perspective on work is completely transformed.
It’s not “our” business or career—you and I belong to God. When we surrender our life and work to God, he aligns it to building his Kingdom.
And in God’s workplace things like radical love, sacrificial generosity, excellent craftsmanship, and grace-filled management will be reflected in our work.
Pray
Lord Jesus, strengthen me with your power so my work today will reflect your fullness, and bring glory to your name.
Reflect
When you feel frustrated or challenged at work, do you surrender to God’s power, or do you go to your own power to work through the situation?
Discuss
Share some examples when you felt a leading of the Spirit to radically love and influence another person at work. What happened?
Brian Dahl is a partner at DKY, a brand marketing agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is also a WorkLight Board member, and the DKY team supports WorkLight’s marketing communications needs.