By Rachel Loe, November 27, 2023

This time of year is full of family and friends and the joy we get from breaking with the usual work rhythm. Often, the thought of heading back into the trenches of the mundane workaday life is enough to bring an audible sigh. Especially when we work in a place where the culture is, let’s say, less than Christ-honoring. It can feel insurmountable to influence the culture when you are not in an explicit leadership position. While there were no “office buildings” or directives on “office culture” in Christ’s time, He did give us direction in how we can affect the world around us for His glory and be the light in a dark room. Below are some areas where we can be the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).

Have an Eternal focus:

This first point will encapsulate the second but is the best place to start. When we interact with our coworkers, customers, bosses, etc., we are interacting with people who have an eternal destination (John 3:16, 36; Matthew 25:24-25; Romans 6:23). When we look upon those around us with that perspective, it will soften our hearts towards them as Christ’s heart was softened toward us. People notice how you treat other people and if there is consistency. Whether you are speaking with the janitor or the CEO, treating them with respect and dignity will influence others to do the same.

Remember who you are:

Just as you look at others with an eternal focus, remember who you are as a child of the King. When others are looking to cut corners or are engaging in conversation that is not uplifting, remember that we are to look different than the people of this world (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:7-11, 1 Peter 2:9-11, Luke 6:32-36, John 13:35). People around you will notice and, in a lot of cases, will respect and trust you more, even if they don’t say it out loud. As Kingdom Ambassadors, we always represent our Father, even when we aren’t advertising it out loud.

Respect and honor authority:

This one is tough, especially when your superiors are not Christians. I am not saying that there isn’t a time and a place to stand up for what you believe in when things are directly in conflict with God’s direction, but part of His instructions for us as believers is to respect the authority He has established (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13-15, 1 Peter 2:17, Jeremiah 29:7). A popular water cooler topic is how awful is the boss. This goes back to the first two points of eternal focus and remembering who you are. When you refrain from gossiping about or complaining about the boss, your positivity and respect will set you apart and encourage others.

Love and serve this world:

The last point I would like to dwell on is again an echo of the three others. The biggest way for us to influence culture, whether we are in a leadership role, is to have a servant’s heart (Romans 12:10). This will look different for all of us since God, in His infinite wisdom, gifted us all in different ways (1 Peter 4:10-11). It may mean taking the extra shift for your coworker whose family member is sick, or it may look like simply refilling the coffee machine when it is out. There is no “small act” in God’s economy, and nothing goes unnoticed.

One of my favorite chapters in scripture is Galatians 5. Paul is speaking to the people in the Galatian church about our freedom in Christ. We are free from the law’s yoke and saved for God’s enjoyment. What an incredible burden lifted! But verses 13 and 14 include our directive: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (ESV).

This is how we influence the culture of our workplaces, and on paper, it seems so simple until we get into the world and face the pressures of day-to-day life. Remember that you are a child of the King.