Restoring Work Relationships
God on Monday
Read previous
Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith (1 Thess. 3:10)
Reflection
Every year I join a family reunion when scattered relatives come together. We always look forward to catching up and creating new memories. In my academic work, I join an annual conference for delegates to present their research and discuss new projects. We always look forward to reconnecting with disparate colleagues. In both these cases, taking time to share our lives enriches and strengthens relationships.
Due to persecution, the apostle Paul and Silas had to leave abruptly after establishing a Christian community in Thessalonica. This meant there was unfinished business. But it was unclear to Paul if they would ever return. Eager to provide further guidance, teaching, and encouragement, he wrote his letters to the Thessalonians to help them keep the faith in the face of danger.
Recently I reflected on the people I regularly see face to face at work. I did so because I was aware that, instead of care and concern, I felt sufficient irritation towards them to be ignoring or avoiding them. I eventually came to realize that work colleagues are in many ways like relatives; we need to accept them if we are to preserve or restore our relationships with them.
Paul prayed night and day to see the Thessalonians again to restore them in their faith. Bringing about restoration in a relationship can mean making up for something that is lacking, such as trust, or repairing something that is broken. As a Christian in a secular workplace, living out my values in my relationships can be challenging. But I know that, if I pray for those relationships, I will be less likely to give up, and more likely to enable restoration.
I therefore prayed for good interactions and started to initiate conversations. I prayed that I would listen in order to understand. I prayed I would not be judgmental, nor fixate on past wrongs. In doing so, I came to realize how blessed I was because I still had time to restore what was broken.
Response
Give thanks for those people who have enriched your life, encouraged you to keep going, or have reminded you to be strong in the Lord. In that strength, consider how the Holy Spirit might be nudging you to take one step toward reconnecting or repairing a work relationship.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for those who have rejuvenated our faith or shown us how to keep the faith, even in trying circumstances. Grant us the wisdom and strength we need to take the first steps in repairing a relationship. Amen.
This Week's Author
Esther Chung-Kim, Professor, Claremont McKenna College
God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.
Feel free to share these reflections with your contacts via email and social media.