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Reading Os Hillman’s book, “Faith and Work:Do They Mix?” on the train this week there was a section in Chapter 5 that really stood out to me. I highlighted it so I wouldn’t forget it was there once I got back home. He wrote that 50% of Christians had never heard a sermon about work and that around 70% had never been taught a theology of work. Os felt that no wonder it was difficult reconciling both ministry and work together when it’s never been taught.

He then reminded the reader of the verse in Col 3:7 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Os indicates he is going to talk more about work as a calling further in the book and I look forward to reading more on it, but I knew instantly when reading this particular passage in the book that what I do on a daily basis, is indeed my calling from God. I’ve never really doubted it – I’ve had times when I’ve felt down and wondered whether it was worth the bother, but that was usually short-lived. At the appropriate time I’d get an email or phone call from someone which would make it more than obvious that it was indeed worth it and that God had ordained this be my path.

For the readers who do not know me, I manage a network of virtual workers, most of whom are in Australia, but many are in other countries. I started working at home early 1994 so I could be home for my own five daughters but soon found that I was to become a role model, mentor and teacher to others who wanted to do the same. I made it a formal process early 1996 in the form of a membership based network and the group has grown.

It doesn’t mean that I preach, or lecture the team, but rather just seek to lead by example, encourage, motivate and support as required. This is what God requires of me. And recently He has opened the door to a new chapter in my life – one I know He’s been preparing me for, for many years, and I’m a member of a brand new team at my church, developing a business ministry – something that is so much a part of me and inside my heart. So, being told about Os’ book was definitely very timely (and a God-incident) and fitting for this new chapter (pardon the pun) in my life.

I look forward to sharing more on that as things progress but in the meantime, I encourage you to consider whether what you’re doing in the workplace right now is the ministry that God has ordained for you. I’ll give you a clue – if what you do is something you live, breathe, dream about and it makes your heart skip whenever you think on it and thank God for that path, then you’re on the right track. But if there’s something else in your life that does that for you instead perhaps you need to seek His guidance in how it can be applied to become a part of your everyday work ministry. KMT