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Presented by Lauren Stibgen
What relationship allows you to experience biblical grace? How do you give grace in relationships you have? How we show up and extend grace to others, especially at work, reflects how we experience grace from God. Remember, his power is made perfect in our weakness, so as we look at our relationships today, I am reminded of how weak I can be when it comes to showing others grace. I experience grace through the perfect relationship I have through my salvation in Jesus!
If you lead people and even if you work on a team, every day can be an opportunity to reflect grace. If you missed our talk about anxiety, you may have missed the statistic that 25% of people report work as their number one stressor, and many of those stresses include their performance at work and even their relationships.
Time and time again in Scripture we see Jesus model grace through serving others, love, and forgiveness. God’s number one goal is relationship with him, and he uses you and me and our reflection of Christ’s love to be fishers of men. He calls us to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We cannot do this if we are full of pride, judgement, and focused on ourselves.
How do you serve, show love, and humility at work? Jesus served his disciples and showed great humility by washing their feet. He showed love by continually teaching them patiently. Jesus was others focused.
One of my favorite examples of grace and love is between Peter and Jesus. Jesus knew Peter would deny him three times before his death. We see this in Luke 22. Peter denied his relationship with Jesus. We get a glimpse of how Peter felt when he “wept bitterly” when he realized he had denied Christ. Fast forward to Jesus and Peter walking along the shore after the resurrection, and Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. A reflection of the denial but asking for his love. His rebuke was gentle and grace filled, leading to the command for Peter to feed his sheep.
Now, how can you show grace in your relationships at work?
Is it by extending grace-filled words? Perhaps a compliment for something as simple as a well-written email or a comment made in a meeting.
Is it by showing someone support for an idea they have? As a manager, you can truly show grace by highlighting the work of the people who report to you.
Can you extend grace by giving someone honest feedback instead of choosing to gossip? Sometimes, it is best to say something to a person rather than about them.
Maybe it is bringing a colleague a cup of coffee or inviting them to lunch.
Is someone down? Are they facing a trial? Offer to pray.
Relationships are of the utmost importance to God. He relies on us and our relationships to bring people into relationship with him.
