Don't Go To Work Alone

Don't Go To Work Alone  

Hi I'm David Oliver form Love Work Live Life. Over the past few weeks I have looked at the scripture describing the first anointing for us which was on a man called Bezalel. Bezalel's name means 'Under the shadow of the almighty'. It is probably a name that carries the Hebrew notion of a hen covering her chicks with her wings, and the imagery is so relevant for us isn't it. It is so easy for us to feel on our own when we get into our places of work. But the truth if we could see it and believe it, is rather different.

 One of the Hebrew names for God is Jehovah Shammah the God who is there, Emmauel means God with us. When the scripture says I will never leave you or forsake you it means never and that includes work. Therefore I can say with confidence God is my helper, I will not be afraid what can man do to me. These scriptures and these names of our God are a promise for you and me in our places of work. Our homes, our offices, our boardrooms, our classrooms, our hospitals, our vehicles - in short wherever it is we are working.

 There is a very familiar scripture in Ephesians 5 v18 be filled with the Holy Spirit. As you will probably know, in that text the sense of the verse, is to be constantly being filled with the Holy Spirit. Of course you and I are conditioned to think of this in terms of asking for the Holy Spirit when we are involved in some outreach or in our Sunday worship. But the wonderful reality is that we can be constantly filled with the Spirit and that includes our work.

 So many Christians I have spoken too feel very alone at work. I was with a line manager in her mid thirties last week, she was feeling very alone in her job. There were some unfair and unjust accusations being made and she had two very difficult meetings to face. We prayed with her and prayed for the Holy Spirit to give her wisdom to handle herself with courage and to make right judgments. What she needed more than anything else that day was not to feel alone, and to know in truth that the Holy Spirit was there for her.

 The Holy Spirit is called the paraclete the one who comes alongside. Like Bezalel it's as if we can be under the shadow, the protection, the friendship of the Holy Spirit. Whatever job you and I are in, however tough or difficult it is, whatever difficulties we face right now. Whatever the financial pressures, whatever the difficulties we face with relationships in our schools or offices the Holy Spirit can be alongside supporting us, encouraging us and making a difference.

 Yes it can sometimes be hard in the world of work, but it's harder by far if we choose to go to work alone. My hope today for all of us sharing together in this study is that we will be encouraged to see that wherever we go, God goes with us - even at 9 a.m. on a Monday morning.

 Reflection. I want to encourage each of us as we listen to this study just now, to open up to the reality that in your place of work God wants to be with you working with you. I want to encourage you to begin a little habit at work from time to time during your day at the coffee machine, maybe in the restrooms, when you are driving to work or on the train remember God and invite Him regularly to work with you to fill you to and to keep filling you. And whenever and wherever you have the opportunity, lets pray for others in their jobs too and expect the Holy Spirit to respond

 I'm David Oliver and this is Love Work Live Life