As a Christian and an instructor on a college campus, I made the decision a long time ago to view my workplace as a mission field. While I cannot openly discuss my faith and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ in the classroom, I can answer questions about my personal beliefs if a student asks me for them during my office hours. Once I have been asked, I am free to discuss religion openly. It is at that time that I will share my faith, the plan of salvation, and answer any question about my faith to those that ask me. Often I am asked about the origins of life, mankind, and even about why I believe by students that are simply trying to find out the meaning and importance of life in a world that teaches them there is nothing special, nothing divine, and nothing planned about their life. It does not take long to realize why so many people in our nation struggle with depression when they are told that everything that they are and everyone that they love are nothing more than a random chance of life’s ingredients.
These people are searching for answers; they want to hear that they are special. They need to hear Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations (Jeremiah 1:15). They need to hear that For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). They need to be reminded that I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well (Psalms 139:14). When all three verses are taken at face value something profound to us – and about us – can be seen.
Each one of us, as members of the human race, were planned, known, and a special place created just for our life, if we just yield to God’s will. We are so loved by God that he didn’t even spare his own son as a way to atone for our rebellion against him – even the apostle Paul understood this great demonstration of love: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32); this just amplifies the love demonstrated and revealed in John 3:16. And added to the revelation of Psalms 139:14, its not hard to get the image of God crafting each human life as it begins in the womb. Just remembering those simple Bible-proclaimed truths is enough to give value back to anyone’s life.
It may not be a far flung mission field, such as Africa or Asia and it certainly does not require deputation and financial support. Wherever God has placed you – at a college campus as I am, or at a local garage, Wal-mart, or any other place where we work can become a mission field. We may not be able to draw a large crowd to hear the gospel, see hundreds saved, or even build a church on this particular mission field. The challenges are great as any workplace mission field must take into consideration the rules of the company and our own testimony – do others already see within us the love of Jesus Christ that must be evident? If so, as Peter states, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15).
