Making an Impact in Your Workplace

Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

**Shining God's Light in Your Workplace**

### Opening Illustration: **Lego Bricks in a Dark Office**

Imagine working in an office that operates in almost complete darkness. It’s company policy—maybe to save on energy costs, or because the higher-ups believe people focus better in a dim environment. The only light comes from the occasional screen or a flicker of a desk lamp. Now, here’s another quirk of this office culture: everyone is required to take off their shoes before entering. So, day in and day out, people walk around barefoot.

But there's an unnoticed issue. Each person, without realizing it, carries small LEGO bricks in their pockets. Maybe they’re there from projects at home, things their kids gave them, or just something they’ve picked up along the way. As they walk through the office, these LEGO bricks keep falling out of their pockets onto the floor. No one means to drop them, but they’re scattered everywhere, hidden in the darkness.

What happens when people start stepping on those LEGO bricks, barefoot? Every step becomes a painful gamble. Some might step on a brick and grit their teeth, trying to keep the pain to themselves. Others might get angry, frustrated with the person they assume dropped it. Tensions rise. People start snapping at each other, and the office atmosphere becomes filled with bitterness and blame. You’ve got a room full of hurting people, walking around in the dark, stepping on these small, painful bricks.

Now, consider how different things would be if someone just turned on the light. Immediately, the entire office could see where those LEGO bricks were. Instead of stumbling upon them and reacting out of pain, people could avoid the bricks, or better yet, pick them up and clear the path for others. There’d be far fewer angry confrontations or hurtful reactions, because the source of the pain would be visible to everyone.

This office scenario is a powerful metaphor for relational friction in our workplaces. In real life, we each carry our own "LEGO bricks"—personal struggles, stress, past hurts, or frustrations. Without realizing it, we drop those issues into our interactions with coworkers. We say a careless word, act out of impatience, or make a mistake that someone else ends up stepping on. And because the "light" of Christ isn’t shining in that situation, people react from a place of pain or frustration. This leads to misunderstandings, conflict, and sometimes broken relationships.

As Christians, Jesus calls us to be the light in these dark places. In Matthew 5:16, He says, *“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”* When we let His light shine through us, we bring clarity to situations of relational friction. We see the hidden "LEGO bricks"—the unseen stresses or personal pain others are carrying—and we respond with grace instead of judgment. The light of Christ helps us recognize the source of the pain and compels us to act in ways that heal instead of harm.

In a dark office full of unseen LEGO bricks, a Christian is the one who sees clearly and takes action. Instead of stepping on someone else’s mess and responding in anger, we can be the person who picks up the bricks, who helps clear the path so others don’t keep hurting themselves and each other. We shine Christ’s light through our actions, our kindness, and our willingness to serve others, creating a better, healthier environment for everyone around us.

Let’s talk today about how we can be that light in our workplaces—bringing clarity, grace, and hope into situations where people are stumbling in the dark.

In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Today, we’re going to look at how we can be that light in our workplaces by letting our actions speak louder than words, building relationships that open the door to faith conversations, serving others in practical ways, and being prepared to share our story of faith when the opportunity arises.

1. Your Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Genesis 1:3 CSB

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

When God began His creation in Genesis, He started with light: “Let there be light”

Genesis 1:3 (CSB)

3 Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

That light wasn’t just for illumination—it was the first step in bringing order out of chaos, beauty out of the void. Without light, the rest of creation couldn’t function. Our workplaces often feel like they’re operating in chaos too, don’t they? There’s competition, office politics, stressful deadlines, and sometimes toxic environments. But just like God’s light brought order to creation, our actions—when done with Christ's love—bring order, peace, and a sense of purpose to those around us.

Jesus’ command in Matthew 5:16 reminds us that we are to shine before others so they will *see* our good deeds. In the Jewish tradition, the concept of the “good eye” (tov ayin) speaks to how we view others. A good eye sees the best in people, is generous, and assumes good intentions, while the “bad eye” (ra ayin) is stingy, critical, and cynical. Having a good eye in the workplace means choosing to believe the best about your coworkers, acting generously with your time and resources, and showing grace when things don’t go as planned.

We today have a saying, “Seeing is believing.” But, that’s not really how our spirit and mind work. It gives us too much credit. The reality is that “Believing is seeing.” If we have a bad attitude we look at things from a darkened perspective. You’ve heard the term, “Negative Light.” Right,

Look at the difference lighting makes on your perception of somebody or a situation.

Think back to that dark room and the LEGO. Your coworkers are living in that same kind of darkness, navigating their lives with unseen obstacles and personal pain. Our actions, our good deeds, are the light that helps them see a better way. When we live out our faith through kindness, patience, and grace, people begin to notice.

Just as stepping on a LEGO is a physical pain, people in our workplaces people are experiencing emotional and relational pain all the time—stress, frustration, loneliness. When we shine the light of Christ through our actions, we’re not just avoiding pain for ourselves, we’re helping to pick up those obstacles for others. We reflect Christ’s light when we show grace in difficult situations, help a struggling coworker, or choose kindness in the face of frustration.

Being the light of Christ means that, when others around us are irritated or frustrated, we respond with patience instead of adding to the tension. It means that instead of meeting someone’s mistake with judgment, we extend grace, understanding that everyone is carrying burdens we might not see. It’s about recognizing when a coworker is overwhelmed, and instead of piling on more pressure, we offer them space to breathe, lending a hand or a kind word. When we notice a colleague shutting down—whether it’s from the weight of work or something much deeper, like struggles at home or the grief of losing a loved one—we don’t stand by and watch them spiral. We step in, offering encouragement, a listening ear, or practical help.

Being the light of Christ means having eyes open to the emotional struggles and unseen battles people are fighting. It’s bringing compassion and care where others might bring criticism or indifference. It’s choosing to lift people up rather than letting them fall, shining Christ’s love into every interaction, and being a source of healing in a world that often hurts.

Contemporary Illustration: I knew someone who worked in a fast-paced, high-stress office. It was the kind of environment where people would step on each other just to get ahead. But one man stood out—he always went out of his way to help others, staying late to assist coworkers with projects and refusing to participate in office gossip. Over time, people began to ask why he was different. His actions spoke so loudly that they opened the door for him to share his faith, and people listened because they had already seen Christ in him.

2. Build Relationships That Open Doors for Faith Conversations

Colossians 4:4–6 CSB

4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Shining your light at work isn’t just about avoiding conflict or being nice—it’s about building meaningful relationships. Jesus didn’t just perform miracles; He spent time with people, listened to them, and invested in their lives. In your workplace, relationships are the foundation for influence. The deeper the connection, the more opportunities you’ll have to share your faith.

Being the light of Christ means that, when others around us are irritated or frustrated, we respond with patience instead of adding to the tension. It means that instead of meeting someone’s mistake with judgment, we extend grace, understanding that everyone is carrying burdens we might not see. It’s about recognizing when a coworker is overwhelmed, and instead of piling on more pressure, we offer them space to breathe, lending a hand or a kind word. When we notice a colleague shutting down—whether it’s from the weight of work or something much deeper, like struggles at home or the grief of losing a loved one—we don’t stand by and watch them spiral. We step in, offering encouragement, a listening ear, or practical help.

Being the light of Christ means having eyes open to the emotional struggles and unseen battles people are fighting. It’s bringing compassion and care where others might bring criticism or indifference. It’s choosing to lift people up rather than letting them fall, shining Christ’s love into every interaction, and being a source of healing in a world that often hurts.

When you build trust with your coworkers, it becomes easier for them to open up about their lives. And when that trust is established, they’re more likely to listen when you talk about your faith. It’s not about forcing conversations; it’s about being available when the time is right. **And this leads us to an important point—be prepared to share your story.**

3. Be Prepared to Share Your Story

Let me ask you this: Are you ready to share your personal story of faith if someone asked you about it? Because that’s one of the most powerful tools you have in sharing the light of Christ. Your story—what God has done in your life—matters.

There are three reasons why your personal story is so impactful. First, **your coworkers are going to be interested in it**. They might not be interested in theology, the Bible, or even going to church, but because you’ve built a relationship with them, they care about *your* story. They’re invested in you. So when you share what Jesus has done in your life, they’ll listen because it’s personal.

Second, **your coworkers will be able to relate to your story**. You share a common ground with them—whether it’s working in the same environment, dealing with similar stresses, or even experiencing some of the same life challenges. Your story will resonate with them in ways that a theological argument or a sermon might not.

And third, **no one can argue with your story**. While people might debate theology, the Bible, or even the church, they can’t argue with your personal experience. In today’s world, where everything is relative, your story stands strong because it’s uniquely yours.

Practical Step: Be prepared to share your story. Take time this week to go through the questions listed there and reflect on how God has worked in your life. Write down your answers to questions like:

A. Where were you spiritually before you knew Christ?

B. How has your faith affected your feelings, attitudes, and relationships?

Spend time crafting your story so that when the opportunity arises, you’re ready to share it with confidence.

4. Be Prepared to Share How to Become a Christian

When the light of Christ shines in your life, people will notice. And eventually, someone might ask you how they can have that same peace, joy, or purpose that you have. In that moment, it’s important to be ready to explain how they can begin their own relationship with Jesus.

You don’t have to be a Bible scholar or a pastor to share the gospel. All you need is a simple explanation of what it means to become a Christian. You can share how Jesus died for their sins, how they can be forgiven through faith, and how they can start a new life in Christ. Keep it simple, but be ready to share it clearly.

You might even want to have a specific resource, like a tract or a favorite Bible verse, that you can offer when the time comes. Maybe it’s John 3:16, or maybe you carry a small booklet explaining the basics of the gospel. The important thing is to be prepared.

Practical Step: Take a moment to think about what you’d say if someone asked you how to become a Christian. If you’re not sure, write it down. Practice sharing it with a friend or family member until you feel comfortable. And always be ready to extend an invitation—to a conversation, to church, or to Christ.

5. Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus in Your Office

Finally, being a light in your workplace isn’t just about sharing your story or your faith—it’s about serving others. Just like you’d pick up that LEGO to spare someone else the pain, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in practical ways.

Jesus showed us what it means to serve others when He washed His disciples’ feet. He didn’t just talk about love; He demonstrated it. In your workplace, this might mean helping a coworker with a project, listening to someone who’s struggling, or simply being a source of encouragement.

Action Step: This week, look for a specific opportunity to serve someone in your workplace. Ask God to show you who needs encouragement or help, and then be intentional about meeting that need. You never know how your small act of service could open the door to a deeper conversation about faith.

### Conclusion:

As we close, let’s go back to that LEGO in the dark. You have the opportunity to be the light in your workplace—to not only avoid pain for yourself but to help others avoid unnecessary collisions. Let your actions speak loudly, build relationships that open doors to faith conversations, be prepared to share your story, and always be ready to share the hope that’s within you.

This week, be intentional about being a light. Serve someone, share your story, and watch how God uses you to bring light into the darkness of your workplace.

Let’s pray.

- Key Theme: Being a light in your workplace.

- Main Points:

1. Your actions speak louder than words.

2. Build relationships that open doors for faith conversations.

3. Look for ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus in your office.

- Application: Take one step toward serving a coworker in a meaningful way this week