How To Experience God`s Kingdom At Work Pt 1: Thanksgiving
The Intersection of Heaven and Earth
As believers, we often find great joy and fulfillment in our times of worship at church. The reality of God’s kingdom, power, and glory becomes palpable as we gather together to praise His name. However, the majority of our waking hours are spent not in the church sanctuary, but in the workplace – the public square where we interface with the world. Many Christians struggle to bring that same sense of God’s presence and activity into their work environments. But the good news is, the principles that allow us to encounter the divine in our times of corporate worship can also be applied to our daily work lives.
The key lies in understanding the relationship between heaven and earth. From the very beginning, God’s intention was for these two realms to exist in harmony, with the divine and the human interacting and co-laboring in what the Scriptures refer to as the “temple” – that sacred space where the heavenly and earthly converge. The first such temple was the Garden of Eden, where God Himself walked and fellowshipped with Adam and Eve. This pattern of heaven and earth coming together would continue to be a central theme throughout the biblical narrative.
Thanksgiving as the Gateway
So how do we, as modern-day believers, step into this reality of the heavenly and earthly realms intersecting in our workplaces? The Psalmist provides us with a crucial clue: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4). Thanksgiving, it would seem, is the gateway that ushers us into the very presence of God – not just in the church, but in every sphere of our lives, including the workplace.
When we take a moment to offer genuine gratitude to the Lord, it shifts our perspective. Rather than being consumed by the tasks at hand or the challenges we face, we become consciously aware that there is more to our work environment than meets the eye. By giving thanks, we acknowledge that there is a spiritual reality – a “Mount Zion” and a “city of the living God” – that transcends the physical (Hebrews 12:22). We recognize that we are not alone, toiling in isolation, but that the living God Himself is present and active in our workplaces, ready to assist and empower us.
Jesus’ Example of Thanksgiving
- The feeding of the 5,000 is a prime example of how Jesus modeled this principle of thanksgiving in the midst of His work. Faced with a daunting practical problem – a massive crowd of hungry people – the natural human response may have been to panic or despair.
- But Jesus, in His wisdom, first “looked up to heaven and gave thanks” (Mark 6:41). By doing so, He consciously shifted His focus from the overwhelming circumstances to the reality of His Heavenly Father’s presence and provision.
- This simple act of thanksgiving opened the door for God to work mightily, multiplying the meager resources at hand to meet the need. Jesus’ gratitude invited the divine into the natural, allowing the kingdom of heaven to manifest in a tangible way.
In the same way, when we choose to give thanks to God in the midst of our work – whether it’s facing a difficult challenge, navigating a complex problem, or simply carrying out the mundane tasks of our day – we are positioning ourselves to experience His power, peace, and joy in the workplace. Thanksgiving lifts our eyes from the temporal to the eternal, reminding us that we are not alone, but that the living God is present and active, ready to work alongside us.
The Transformative Power of Thanksgiving
The benefits of practicing thanksgiving at work are manifold. First and foremost, it opens the door to experiencing God’s peace. As the prophet Isaiah declares, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3). When we fix our thoughts on the Lord and give Him thanks, His peace – which transcends all understanding – guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7).
This supernatural peace is a powerful antidote to the stress, anxiety, and turmoil that can so easily creep into our work lives. Rather than being tossed about by the waves of circumstance, we can remain anchored and centered, able to navigate the challenges we face with clarity and composure.
Thanksgiving also ushers in the joy of the Lord, which the Psalmist describes as being “at [God’s] right hand” (Psalm 16:11). Far from being a fleeting emotion, this joy is a deep, abiding delight in the Lord and His goodness – a strength that sustains us even in the midst of difficulty (Nehemiah 8:10).
When we approach our work with a spirit of thanksgiving, we tap into the very joy of the Lord Himself. Rather than viewing our jobs as burdens to be endured, we can find genuine fulfillment and satisfaction in the tasks before us, knowing that we are co-laboring with the living God.
Finally, thanksgiving reinforces our right standing before God. As the apostle Paul reminds us, the kingdom of God is characterized by “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). When we give thanks to the Lord, we are acknowledging our proper place as His beloved children, recipients of His grace and favor. This sense of righteous identity empowers us to approach our work with confidence, knowing that we are fully accepted and approved by our Heavenly Father.
Cultivating a Lifestyle of Thanksgiving at Work
Clearly, the practice of thanksgiving holds the key to unlocking the reality of God’s kingdom in our workplaces. But how do we actually put this into practice on a daily basis? Here are some practical suggestions:
Start your workday with thanksgiving.
- Before diving into the tasks and challenges of the day, take a few moments to offer heartfelt gratitude to the Lord. Thank Him for the opportunity to work, for the skills and abilities He has given you, and for His presence and provision.
- This simple act of thanksgiving will help shift your mindset from one of anxiety or dread to one of faith, hope, and expectation.
Look for things to be thankful for throughout the day.
- Make a conscious effort to notice the blessings, big and small, that God provides in the midst of your work. Perhaps it’s a co-worker who lends a helping hand, a client who expresses appreciation, or a problem that gets resolved in an unexpected way.
- Take a moment to offer a prayer of thanksgiving in those instances, acknowledging God’s hand at work.
Practice thanksgiving in the midst of difficulties.
- When you find yourself facing a daunting challenge or obstacle, resist the urge to panic or despair. Instead, lift your eyes to the Lord and give Him thanks.
- Thank Him for His faithfulness, for His wisdom, and for the opportunity to trust Him in the midst of the storm. This act of faith will open the door for His peace, joy, and power to manifest.
Cultivate a thankful community at work.
- Look for ways to encourage and uplift your co-workers through expressions of gratitude. Publicly acknowledge their contributions, or take a moment to write a note of appreciation.
- As you model a spirit of thanksgiving, you may find that it begins to spread throughout your workplace, creating an atmosphere of positivity, unity, and divine favor.
Conclusion
The workplace is not merely a secular domain, devoid of the presence and activity of God. Rather, it is a sacred space where the heavenly and earthly realms intersect – a “Mount Zion” where the living God desires to work alongside us. By cultivating a lifestyle of thanksgiving, we unlock the door to experiencing the fullness of His kingdom, power, and glory in our daily work lives.
So let us embrace this transformative practice, giving thanks to the Lord in all things. As we do so, we will find that our workplaces become infused with the peace, joy, and righteous identity that are the hallmarks of God’s kingdom. And in the process, we will bear witness to the world around us of the reality and power of our living, active God.
