Mixed Signals

"Faith, if it has no works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17

As I approached a traffic light recently I saw something I had never seen: the light was both red and green at the same time! Both colors were lit. Proceeding slowly with great caution I realized a repairman was at work in the associated electrical box and another man was standing nearby half-heartedly directing traffic. It was least confusing and could have been worse given other circumstances. Thankfully such traffic situations are rare.

Unfortunately, it not so rare for us as Christians to give mixed messages to those in our workplaces. We say one thing and do another.

We post the Golden Rule on our office wall but are often guilty of slaying someone with our tongue or fabricating a partial-truth.

We attend church but our actions on Monday morning don't always match our Sunday claims.

We advocate peace and kindness then react with near-hostility when confronted with an employee conflict.

It's easy to talk about Christ first in our lives and then fail to acknowledge His presence in the midst of our workplace relationships. What kind of signal are you beaming at work? Are you talking one language and living another?

I am thinking of a business man who takes seriously his call as a minister. He doesn't carry a Bible in his pocket but he knows the Word of God and quotes it throughout the day when he needs to be reminded what the Lord says.

√ He doesn't tell his employees that they must attend church to go to heaven but he does have regular prayer times in his office and invites others to come.

√ He prays for his associates and co-workers regularly. He doesn't often repeat the details of his pastor's sermon but he systematically lives by Christian principles.

√ He’s active in his church and feels blessed to be a part of that Body of Christ yet understands his mission field to be the hundreds of people he interacts with weekly through his vocation, many of which have little to no other Christian influences.

√ His yes is his yes; his no is his no. You can count on him to do what he says.

√ His lifestyle and behavior are a mirror of his Christian claims.

√ With him the light is only one color. There is no ambiguity surrounding his Christian life, no conflicting messages, and no mixed signals.

√ His employees and workplace peers find his life and work refreshing.

√ His influence in the marketplace is growing daily as a result.


Today's Challenge: Let's follow suit!
- If we are going to name the name of Jesus, let's name it fully!
- Let's let His influence be so persuasive over us that He is Lord of our lives on Sundays and weekdays, at church and at work, in public and in private, in season and out of season.
- May consistency mark our lifestyles and may our deeds match our creeds.
- Let's let our workplaces be the horizons upon which we stake our claims for Christ, and may it be that our actions speak far louder than our words.
- Show your work associates one color - a green light - everyday.
- Invite them to follow you as you follow Christ!
- Make this workday count by living your Christian life with consistency!

The Other 6 Days – WB Journal