在工作職場發光如星
By Rick Box
非執行長或公司高層決策管理人員最常提出關於職場上信心的問題。多數人能明白執行長可以如何影響一個組織，但不位居此高位的職員對自己改變職場的能力感到懷疑，特別是牽涉到奠基於信仰和靈命的價值觀。
雖然這種思維是可以理解的，但不幸地，它卻會破壞真實、積極改變的可能性。從我自己身上以及諮商過許多企業和組織人員的經驗看來，我發現所有人都有造成改變的無限可能。
面對上述的說法，人們自然會提出這個問題：「我們怎樣才能做出這樣的改變呢？」我認為最好的起點是探討聖經中兩段相似的經文，一段來自舊約但以理書，一段來自新約腓立比書。這兩段經文都談到有信心的人在他們所處的環境中「發光如星」。
在但以理書中的預言中，講述到「有大艱難，從有國以來直到此時，沒有這樣的。」然而緊接著，它宣告：「智慧人必發光如同天上的光；那使多人歸義的，必發光如星，直到永永遠遠。」（但以理書12章1-3節）
另一段經文是腓立比書2章13節，它提醒我們：「因為你們立志行事都是 神在你們心裏運行，為要成就他的美意。」很明顯地，這段經文闡明無論我們去到哪裡做些什麼，即便是在工作職場裡，上帝都可以使用我們成就祂的計畫。接著，我們被如此教導：「凡所行的，都不要發怨言，起爭論，使你們無可指摘，誠實無偽，在這彎曲悖謬的世代作 神無瑕疵的兒女。你們顯在這世代中，好像明光照耀。」（腓立比書2章14-15節）
我們在動盪不安的時代生活和工作，事情常看起來很灰暗，令人沮喪。我們可能會想「上帝有在嗎？」然而，在這種時候，我們也有機會像聖經所說的那樣，「發光如星」，點亮壓迫我們的黑暗。
我們可以這樣想：在一個光線充足的大房間裡，一個低瓦數的燈泡和一支蠟燭不會對整個房間的亮度造成什麼影響。然而，當燈被關上，且任何其他的光源也都被移除時，那個小燈泡或蠟燭就會突然間大放光明，吸引我們就近它。同樣地，如果我們發現自己在靈性黑暗的環境中工作，就可以請求上帝提供方法，讓我們能夠「發光如星」，造成遠遠超出我們想像的改變。
作家C.S.路易斯曾這樣寫到：「我相信基督信仰，就像我相信太陽升起了。不僅因為我看到了它，也因為我藉由它看到了其他一切。」這是一個深刻的描述，我們應該像耶穌基督在職場上的大使一樣禱告，如哥林多後書5章20節中所描述的那樣，其他人只要觀察我們的生活、聽我們說明我們相信什麼以及為何而信，他們就能夠看見耶穌基督。
切記，上帝的方法是日新又新的。當我們接受祂的道，並在工作的地方活出來，我們的言行舉止就會成為別人的見證。當主在我們裡面以及透過我們工作時–通常是我們意想不到的方法–，人們將會看到其中的差異。隨著時間推移，主將賜下機會讓我們向周圍的人彰顯耶穌基督-「世界的光」（約翰福音9章5節）。
版權所有2019 非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書提供用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業
反省與問題討論
你相信非決策者也能在職場上，特別是為完成工作和提供服務的方式以及設立屬靈焦點方面，做出有意義的改變嗎？請說明你的答案。 如果一個人不是主要的決策者，他要如何做出這樣的改變？ 你怎麼看待聖經中所說「發光如星」照亮我們周遭的世界，包含我們工作職場的想法？ 如果你做了一個決定，下定決心「我想成為在我的公司（企業或組織）發光如星的人」，你會如何努力做到這一點？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多關於這個主題的訊息，請參考下面的經文：
馬太福音5章14-16節
5:14 你們是世上的光。城造在山上是不能隱藏的。
5:15 人點燈，不放在斗底下，是放在燈臺上，就照亮一家的人。
5:16 你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」
約翰福音1章4-9節
1:4 生命在他裏頭，這生命就是人的光。
1:5 光照在黑暗裏，黑暗卻不接受光。
約翰福音3章19-21節
3:19 光來到世間，世人因自己的行為是惡的，不愛光，倒愛黑暗，定他們的罪就是在此。
3:20 凡作惡的便恨光，並不來就光，恐怕他的行為受責備。
3:21 但行真理的必來就光，要顯明他所行的是靠 神而行。」
約翰福音8章12節
8:12 耶穌又對眾人說：「我是世界的光。跟從我的，就不在黑暗裏走，必要得著生命的光。」
約翰福音12章45-46節
12:45 人看見我，就是看見那差我來的。
12:46 我到世上來，乃是光，叫凡信我的，不住在黑暗裏。
SHINING LIKE STARS IN THE MARKETPLACE
By Rick Boxx
A question I often hear when speaking about faith in the workplace comes from people who are not CEOs, those who are not the top decision-making executives in their companies. Many of them can readily understand how a CEO can affect change within an organization, but those who are not CEOs doubt their own ability to bring about change where they work, especially in terms of faith and spiritually based values.
This kind of thinking, while understandable, is unfortunate because it can undermine the potential for genuine, positive change. From my own experience, and in consulting with people in many kinds of businesses and organizations, I have discovered there are unlimited opportunities of all people to make a difference.
A question that naturally arises from such a statement is, “How can we make that difference?” I think the best place to start is by considering two similar passages from the Scriptures, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. Both talk about people of faith “shining like stars” in their surroundings.
In the prophetic book of Daniel, it tells about “a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” But then it declares, “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:1-3).
The other passage, the second chapter of Philippians, reminds us, “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Clearly, it states wherever we go and whatever we do – even in the workplace – God can use us to accomplish His plans. Then we are instructed, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” (Philippians 2:13-15).
We live and work in turbulent times; at times things seem dark and disheartening. “Where is God in this?” we might wonder. It is at times like these, however, that we have the opportunity to do as the Scriptures say, to “shine like stars in the sky” to illuminate the oppressive darkness.
Think of it this way: In a large, well-lit room, a lightbulb of low wattage or a candle seems to make very little difference in how bright the area appears. However, when the lights are turned off and all other sources of illumination have been eliminated, that small lightbulb or candle suddenly seems to shine brightly, drawing us to it. In a similar way, if we find ourselves working in spiritually dark environments, we can ask God to provide ways where we can “shine like stars” and make a difference far beyond anything we could imagine.
Author C.S. Lewis wrote, “I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen. Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” That is a profound statement, and we should pray as ambassadors for Jesus Christ in the marketplace, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:20, that as others observe our lives and hear us tell about what we believe and why, that they also will be able to see Him.
It is important to remember that God”s ways are unconventional. When we embrace His ways, and model them in the places where we work, our actions stand out to others. As the Lord works in us and through us, often in unexpected ways, they will see a difference. Over time, He will give us the opportunity to reveal Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 9:5) to those around us.
Copyright 2019, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more, visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. His latest book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you believe that people other than top executives can make a meaningful difference in the workplace, especially in terms of helping to set a spiritual focus for how work is done and services are provided? Why or why not? How can people make this kind of difference, especially if they are not the primary decision-makers? What do you think of the idea expressed in the Bible about “shining like stars” to the world around us, including those places where we work? If you made this decision, resolving that “I want to be one of those who are shining like stars at my company (my business or organization),” how might you go about striving to do this?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Matthew 5:14-16; John 1:4-9, 3:19-21, 8:12, 12:45-46
