Welcome to the first issue of God @ Work
The name carries two meanings: placing God in the marketplace, and recognizing God already at work in a career that feels exhausting or overlooked. Opens with Joseph, who ran grain reserves in Pharaoh’s palace rather than serving in a synagogue.
I chose this name quite intentionally. It holds a dual meaning that I believe can change how we see the hours we spend in offices, on job sites, in virtual meetings, or wherever work calls us.
First, God at Work is about how we place God in the marketplace—how faith shapes our leadership, our decisions, and the way we engage colleagues and clients. Many of us wonder if our spiritual convictions belong in the professional arena at all. I’m convinced they do, and that our workplaces can be a canvas for living out the Gospel.
Second, God at Work is about recognizing that God is not absent from our careers, even when we feel exhausted, discouraged, or overlooked. He is quietly at work in us and through us, accomplishing purposes we can’t always see.
As you read this newsletter, I hope you’ll find both inspiration and practical ideas for bridging faith and work. My goal isn’t to offer formulas but to create space for reflection, learning, and courage.
Featured Article The Marketplace as a Mission Field
When I first heard the phrase “marketplace ministry,” I imagined a small corner office somewhere with a Bible on the desk and a few polite conversations about faith in the breakroom. Over time, I realized that God’s vision for the marketplace is far bigger.
Think about the story of Joseph. He didn’t work in a synagogue. He worked in Pharaoh’s palace, managing grain reserves and economic policy during famine. His leadership saved lives, including the very brothers who betrayed him.
Today, you and I may not be overseeing a national economy, but we still hold positions of influence. The conference calls, the invoices, the mentoring sessions—these are places where our faith can shine.
Consider three ways to see your work as a mission:
- Integrity as a Witness. You don’t have to preach a sermon to demonstrate faith. When you consistently tell the truth, honor commitments, and treat people with dignity, it’s noticed. Integrity is magnetic because it’s so rare.
- Service Over Self. Jesus modeled servant leadership. In a culture obsessed with self-promotion, offering help without expectation can be profoundly countercultural. Think about what it would mean to ask, “How can I serve you?” instead of “What’s in this for me?”
- Trust in God’s Provision. Work can be an idol or a means of worship. If your identity is tied to success, every setback will feel like a threat to your worth. But when you trust that God is working for your good, you can hold results with open hands.
Imagine a colleague, a manager in a high-pressure tech firm, begins each day by praying over her schedule. She’d ask God to guide her words and give her peace. It didn’t make her day easier, but it transformed her posture. She was calmer, kinder, and more confident that God was present in her work.
What if we all did the same?
Scripture Reflection: God Working All Things for Good
Romans 8:28 tells us:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
“All things” includes the mundane, the stressful, and even the failures.
Sometimes God’s work is hidden behind setbacks, delays, or disappointments. Other times, it bursts through in obvious favor or a breakthrough conversation.
Today, wherever you are, remember: your work matters to God, and God is at work in your work.
Faith-in-Action Challenge: This Week’s Practice
Pick one of these:
- Before your workday begins, take 5 minutes to pray over your calendar. Invite God into each task.
- Look for one opportunity to serve a colleague without expecting recognition.
- At the end of the week, write down a moment where you sensed God’s presence or provision—even if it was small.
Closing Note
Thank you for reading the first issue of God at Work. I’d love to hear your stories and insights—how you’re experiencing God in your career. If you find this helpful, please share it with a friend or colleague who might need encouragement.
Together, let’s keep learning how faith and work can flourish side by side.
— Dr. Doug
About the author. Douglass P. Smith, Ph.D., PMP, is Professor of the Practice in project management at the University of Kansas and a licensed minister in Kansas City, Kansas. More about Dr. Smith.
First published on LinkedIn, June 28, 2025. View the original.