You Have To Work At It

How do you live your faith when you are in the workplace? What about every other community or situation when you aren't at church?

I know this isn't the popular question. For me, it's probably one of the most incriminating areas of my faith that can be examined. After all, I've studied religion and I do profess my faith clearly when those infrequent opportunities arise where I feel I can express my beliefs without pressuring others or crossing lines of courtesy. But am I shirking my duty?

The clear call would be to proclaim your faith at all times. But sometimes to show love you have to listen instead of talking. Sometimes you need to simply show mercy, or humility, or compassion. How do you balance the need to be in the world, with my mission to not be OF the world? This from the guy who routinely separates his world life view into black and white/wrong and right.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
-- 2 Timothy 4:5

Intellectually, I understand the idea that you have to speak the gospel and carry out His will. Even to your hurt. I'm willing to sacrifice (or so I say from the comparative comfort in which I live). But when the rubber meets the road, am I passing up opportunities to shine His light merely because I don't want to rock the boat? Am I hiding behind courtesy and conformity when I should be striding boldly in service?

Perhaps I need to change my prayer a little. It's not so much that I need to stand up when called. Maybe I need to look around a little more and stick my neck out a little more often. I need to be more willing to face an uncomfortable silence, a confrontation of emotion, the judgment by the unbelieving. They will not all be called. Not all who are called will care to listen to me.

I don't just want my light to shine in the dark. It extra specially NEEDS to shine in the dark.