As I sit here and reflect on a Sunday school lesson I am preparing, I wonder how to answer the question of how we as Christians present ourselves in a secular workforce.
We are called to take the Gospel to the nations, but with so many of us afraid of ridicule, or worse, how to we approach this command? How do we separate ourselves from the world at work?
I am by no means an expert, but I do recall a story from a mentor of mine who has since gone home to the Lord. He traveled extensively for work, often with women. He made several points about how he would treat everyone and protect himself at the same time. He also said goodnight or farewell in the lobby. Never did he take an elevator at the same time as a female co-worker. He did not want even the appearance that they could go to the same room together. At meal times, whether on the road or at home, he never ate with just one employee, especially as a senior leader in the company. He did not want to show favoritism, but he also did not want any room for innuendos to develop.
While these may seem trivial or even old fashioned, they make more sense than ever in today’s hyper exposed, social media based society. When my mentor was accused of sexual improprieties, his reputation carried the day up front until an investigation fully cleared his name. Without his deliberate steps, he could easily have been cast aside during the investigation, with the presumption going to the alleged victim. Not to undermine, or discredit, victims, but in this instance the allegations were made up owing to jealousy and my friend was able to stand tall because he showed himself to be different than the world.