Editor’s Note: Post originally published on April 10, 2017.
As a cradle Catholic, I was baptized when I was just a week old. My education journey included attending Catholic elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as college. I furthered my studies at a Catholic graduate school as well. Interestingly, it is at my secular workplace that I have taken the virtues I acquired in Catholic schooling and deepened them. I give you three reasons why my secular job has made me a better Catholic.
A Different Perspective
The major difference between my Catholic cradle upbringing and my daily work today is summed up in a single word—perspective. I have learned to see relationships, problems, daily tasks, and even conversations from a different perspective. I used to view the world in a dichotomous manner. There is black or white. I still view the world largely in this manner, but I have learned that sometimes there is gray in the world. Sometimes both people may be right in workplace conflict. It just depends on my perspective. This ability that I am daily improving upon is not hampering my Catholic identity, rather enhancing it. By taking a different perspective on things, I acquired a tool to combat the sin of judgmental thinking.
Changes through Change
Similar to viewing things from different perspectives, I have learned in my job that change is inevitable. Increasingly patient in my secular workplace, I firmly believe God has blessed me with my job to foster the virtues of patience and understanding. There is still a long way to go, but I can see significant progress in my spiritual journey as I learn to embrace change, despite its occasional challenges.
Seasoning Adds Flavor
Jesus urged his followers to be “the salt of the Earth” in his Sermon on the Mount Discourse (Matthew 5:13). The purpose of salt is two-fold: preserve and season food. I believe that I the reason that I thrive in a non-Christian environment is for those same reasons. God wants me to act as a preservative of Truth against this worldly culture which promotes the self. Secondly, God gave me the gift to evangelize in a special way to non-Catholics. I need to continue to pray for God to reveal his graces to me on how exactly He wants me to add “flavor” or joy to my workplace.
How may you be the salt of the Earth? Everyone is valued and God has you placed in your current job for a reason. Ask Him for guidance in knowing your purpose.
