A FAITHFUL PRESENCE

In his seminal work on Faith and work integration, Work Matters, Dr. Tom Nelson lifts the words of a sociologist James Hunter regarding the import of Christian believers being a faithful presence. 
Nelson quotes Hunter as saying, “faithful presence in the world means that Christians are fully present and committed in their spheres of influence, whatever they may be: their families, neighborhoods, voluntary activities and places of work.”
I agree. Our presence extends beyond our respective places of worship and far beyond the two or so hours we spend within the walls of our churches. Our influence and our impact should extend to those places where God has strategically planted us on a day to day basis for His glory. If the chief aim and purpose of humanity is to bring glory to God. Then it stands to reason that we are to being Him glory in all that we do; whenever and wherever we may be provides us the opportunity to bring Him glory and to stand as faithful presence.
For many of us this opportunity is most available at our places of employment. It is in those places where we spend the majority of our waking moments—the marketplace. It is in those places which are our spheres of influence—paid or unpaid, where we have the opportunity of “faithful presence.” 
Rather than the limited experience of Sunday Morning, we are gifted with unlimited opportunities to be light in the world and salt of the earth. We have ample opportunity to show through our words and deeds reverent stewardship of our work. We are afforded sacred moments beyond 11 A.M. on Sunday to be ministers and missionaries in the marketplace mission fields we occupy. Whether we recognize it or not, we are graced by our creator to share in His redemptive plan.
We are indeed, as Tom Nelson identifies us, the image bearers of a God who calls us to partner in the Missio Dei by faithfully dispatching the work before us, whether paid or unpaid and to offer that work—our work to Him as an act of worship.