Beyond the Business Card: Working On A Mission

By Stephany Baker

Have you ever noticed how much importance we place on our professional connections? "It's not what you know, but who you know," they say. In networking events, we exchange business cards, drop names, and subtly position ourselves based on our associations. I recently found myself at an industry conference where everyone seemed to be in an unspoken competition of credential-dropping and connection-claiming. But as I navigated the crowd, I felt a quiet reminder in my spirit: my most significant relationship—the one that truly defines me—isn't on any business card.

The Company We Keep

In Luke 8:1-3, we find Jesus traveling through cities and villages with his disciples, but the scripture makes special mention of "certain women" who accompanied Him. These weren't necessarily the most qualified or socially elevated women of their time. Scripture tells us they had been healed from various afflictions and evil spirits. Mary Magdalene had been delivered from seven demons. Joanna was married to Herod's steward. Susanna and many others came from various backgrounds and circumstances.

What brought them together wasn't their perfect résumés or spotless reputations—it was their encounter with Jesus that changed everything. Their past didn't determine their future; their relationship with Jesus did.

Chosen Despite Our Imperfections

In today's workplace, we often feel pressure to present a flawless professional image. We hide our struggles, minimize our failures, and project confidence even when we're uncertain. But the women who walked with Jesus demonstrate a different path. They had been broken, afflicted, and in some cases ostracized by society. Yet Jesus chose them to be part of His inner circle.

This truth has transformed how I approach my work. During a challenging period when I felt inadequate for a leadership position, I remembered that God often chooses the imperfect to accomplish His purposes. My value doesn't come from my performance or reputation but from my identity as someone chosen by God. This realization freed me to lead authentically, acknowledging both my strengths and weaknesses.

Our Perfect Example: Jesus and His Unwavering Focus

Jesus himself provides our ultimate workplace example. Despite the pressures and expectations of those around Him, Jesus never lost sight of who He was and whose approval mattered most. In John 6:38, He declared, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me." This singular focus guided every interaction, every decision, and every word He spoke.

In an age of personal branding and self-promotion, Jesus's example is revolutionary. He never adjusted His message to gain followers or win the approval of influential people. When crowds abandoned Him because His teachings were too challenging, He didn't water down His words to win them back. He remained steadfast in His mission because He lived for an audience of One.

I witnessed this principle in action through a colleague who declined a prestigious promotion because it would have required ethical compromises. "I answer to Someone higher than a board of directors," she told me quietly. Her career didn't suffer—in fact, her integrity eventually led to different opportunities that aligned with her values. Like Jesus, she understood that true success isn't measured by human standards but by faithfulness to our calling.

Making Ourselves Available

The women who accompanied Jesus didn't just acknowledge him from a distance—they rearranged their lives to follow Him. The scripture says they "ministered unto Him of their substance," meaning they contributed financially and practically to His ministry. Their commitment wasn't passive or convenient; it required sacrifice and prioritization.

In our careers, we're constantly making choices about where we invest our time, energy, and resources. Being a Christ-follower in the workplace means making ourselves available for God's purposes, even when it's inconvenient. This might mean taking time to mentor a struggling colleague, speaking truth when it would be easier to remain silent, or maintaining integrity when cutting corners would benefit your bottom line.

Connected to the Source of Power

Jesus accomplished His extraordinary mission not through self-reliance but through constant connection with His Father. John 5:19 reveals His method: "The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing." Jesus maintained unbroken communion with God, often withdrawing to pray despite pressing demands on His time and energy.

This connection was the source of His wisdom, strength, and effectiveness. In our high-pressure work environments, we often try to power through on our own abilities, burning out in the process. But Jesus shows us a better way—staying plugged into the ultimate power source.

A few years ago, I established a practice of "workplace prayer pauses"—brief moments throughout my workday to reconnect with God. These aren't elaborate rituals; sometimes it's just a few quiet breaths and a silent "Lord, I need Your wisdom here" before entering a difficult meeting. These micro-moments of connection have transformed my professional life, bringing supernatural peace and insight to challenges that would otherwise overwhelm me.

Dedicated Beyond Circumstances

Perhaps most remarkably, these women's commitment to Jesus didn't waver when circumstances changed. When the disciples scattered after Jesus's crucifixion, it was these women who remained faithful, going to the tomb early on the third day. Their dedication wasn't conditional on success or public approval—it was rooted in genuine relationship.

In our volatile work environments, where layoffs, reorganizations, and market shifts are common, this kind of steadfast dedication is revolutionary. It means maintaining your ethical standards during a financial downturn. It means speaking kindly about leadership even when policies change unfavorably. It means continuing to serve others excellence even when your contributions go unrecognized.

Living for God's Approval Alone

Jesus never performed to impress people—He lived solely for the Father's approval. After a miracle, He often instructed people not to publicize what had happened. His identity wasn't wrapped up in public acclaim or recognition. At His baptism, before He had performed a single miracle or given a public teaching, the Father declared, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

This is perhaps the most countercultural aspect of bringing our faith to work. In environments driven by metrics, recognition, and advancement, choosing to live for God's approval alone requires tremendous courage. It means celebrating the successes of others as genuinely as your own. It means doing excellent work even when no one is watching. It means finding your worth not in promotions or praise, but in knowing who you belong to.

Your Work as Worship

Like those first-century women who walked with Jesus, we have the opportunity to transform our daily work into an expression of devotion. Your cubicle, office, remote workspace, or job site can become sacred ground where God's presence is evident through your actions, attitudes, and interactions.

As you navigate your workday tomorrow, remember that your most important professional connection isn't with an influential colleague or industry leader—it's with the One who has called you by name and invites you to walk with Him, bringing His light into every corner of your workplace. Like Jesus, may we work not for human applause but to hear those words that matter most: "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Stephany Baker is the Assistant Vice President of Community & Culture at the Office of External Relations at Stanford University. Stephany became an ordained minister in the fall of 2024.