Who You Are Shapes Where You Work (and Why Your Work Doesn’t Define You)
Every one of us is stretching—growing in how we love, how we serve, how we see ourselves. At Experience Church, we’re in a series called “THE TABLE” — a vision God is giving us for deep encounters and community. Up until now, we've learned how the Table is both where God invites us and where we belong. But there's another step: extending the Table — offering everyone a seat. No one should miss the invitation.
In this message, we wrestle with work & identity – how our jobs, our daily grind, and who we think we are can become traps unless we root everything in who Christ says we are.
1. Captivity to Culture: The Story of Daniel
Read Daniel 1:5–10 (ESV)
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food… And God gave Daniel favor and compassion…”
In 605 B.C., Babylon invaded Judah and didn’t just conquer lands – they sought to remake people’s identities. They captured the best young men – intelligent, noble, gifted – and renamed them, trained them, and offered them the king’s food. Everything in their new world pressed to shift their loyalty, reshape their self-worth, and redefine their identity.
The cultural pressure was clear: “Become Babylonian. Forget Judah. Think like us.”
The trap was subtle: Your work, your status, your heritage determines who you are.
But Daniel refused to yield. Why? Because he had tasted a better meal – he remembered who he was, even in captivity.
He knew:
He was not the sum of his job, title, or skills.
He was not his achievements or performance.
He was his Father’s child first.
His refusal was not just about food — it was about identity.
“I am no longer defined by my past or my achievements; I am defined by Christ who lives in me.” (cf. Galatians 2:20)
2. Work, Time & Identity: Where We Fail to See the Connection
We often treat work like an idol — the place where we expect value, identity, and purpose to come from. Yet God intends something else.
Time / Devotion / Attention = Identity Formation
We spend almost a third of our life working (Harvard study).
Whatever consumes our hours is molding us.
Devotion (heart posture) + Attention (where your eyes and mind go) = what you become.
If work is your identity, every job failure, every unpaid hour, every unmet expectation can feel like a personal failure of you.
Work as Religion / Work as Identity
In our culture – especially in high‑performance settings like Silicon Valley – work often becomes our religion. Carolyn Chen observes that many people unknowingly make their jobs the source of ultimate meaning, allegiance, and sacrifice. faithworktech.org
When that happens, your worth fluctuates with your metrics, your success, your recognition – and you’ll burn out, lose soul, or trade integrity just to keep the image.
The gospel offers a different story: you work from your identity, not for your identity. (cf. Ephesians 2:8–10) Theology of Work+1
3. You Were Sent – Work as Mission
We must recover the truth that the primary place of discipleship is the marketplace – where we spend 40+ hours a week. Work is not secondary; it’s a calling.
Five Ways to Carry Your God‑Given Identity at Work
Start from Identity, Not Title
Recall: you are first a child of God (1 John 3:1), then your role.Work as Worship
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord…” (Colossians 3:23)Guard Your Words
“The tongue has the power of life and death.” (Proverbs 18:21)Walk in Integrity
Your character outlasts your skills; it guides your reputation.Shine Your Light
“Let your light shine before others…” (Matthew 5:16) — so others might see Jesus.
When work is done from identity, not for identity, you can face rejection, failure, or injustice without losing yourself.
4. Stories from the Salon & Business Frontlines
The Hair Salon:
Back in my stylist days (yes – Thay can still deliver a clean cut!), I sat in chairs, listened to lives, prayed over people no church knew. One woman, Shirley, repeatedly denied God, but cried out during cancer treatment. She asked me to pray with her.
God made my salon chair a mission field.Small Business Trials:
I have run a business. I know shortcuts. I know betrayal. A team member once stole from us — we forgave. He did it again. But grace was always the posture we held. Why? Because our identity is built on Christ’s grace, not perfect performance.
These stories teach: your workplace is not random. It’s a place God chooses to cultivate your fruit and fan your witness.
5. Surface-Level Identity vs Deep Rooted Identity
Surface IdentityRooted IdentityJob Title / CareerChild of GodAppearance / SkillsCreated in God’s ImageAchievements / AwardsChosen & Loved by GodPublic ReputationCitizen of Heaven
Dallas Willard says: “The primary time of discipleship is work…” – meaning your character and soul are shaped there.
We’re not meant to chase identity from achievements – we rest in who we are. From that rest, we serve well.
What This Means for You
You are not what you do. Your job is not your identity.
Whether your work is glamorous or hidden, God sees it.
You are sent. You didn’t choose your job by accident – God placed you there to shine.
You don’t have to wear performance as a mask. You can show your scars, your struggles, and still remain beloved.
If your work has felt meaningless, oppressive, or identity‑draining – begin again: name who you are in Christ, then live out of that.
Continue the Journey
Join a Table group at Experience Church to wrestle with identity, vocation, and faith in community.
Memorize Colossians 3:23 & 1 John 3:1 – let them rewire your daily rhythm.
Invite someone you work with to your table – lunch, coffee – share life, not just work.
Pray the Declaration Prayer (below), asking God to anchor your soul beyond your job.
Declaration Prayer for Work
Father, thank You for the gift of work. Today I step into my workplace not just as an employee, but as Your child – chosen, loved, and sent.
Remind me that my true identity is not in my title, position, or performance, but in being a son/daughter of the Living God.
Make my workplace a mission field. Let my words carry life, my actions reflect integrity, and my presence bring the atmosphere of heaven.
Use me to serve others, to build bridges, and to shine Your light in every task I touch.
Help me see coworkers not as interruptions but as opportunities for love. Give me courage to live out my faith boldly yet humbly.
Today, I dedicate my work to You — as worship, as witness, and as a reflection of my God‑given identity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Referenced Resources from the Message:
Books:
Working for Better – by Elaine Howard Ecklund & Denise Daniels
Religion in a Changing Workplace – by Elaine Howard Ecklund & Denise Daniels
Website:
Faith, Work & Tech – Resources on integrating faith with your work and culture
Studies Referenced:
Harvard Study: Most people spend over 90,000 hours at work in their lifetime.
Gettysburg College Data: Around 1/3 of your life is spent at work, shaping your identity and well-being.
LifeWay Research / Dr. Thom Rainer:
80% of unchurched people would attend church if invited.
Many Christians feel unprepared or lack proximity to extend that invitation.
“They may not be ready for worship, but they are ready for community.”
Legal Rights – San Francisco, CA (Religious Protections at Work):
Reasonable Accommodation: For religious practices (schedules, attire, prayer space)
Religious Discrimination Prohibition: Equal treatment in hiring, firing, and promotion
Freedom of Expression: Express beliefs at work as long as it doesn’t disrupt
Unruh Civil Rights Act: Equal access to services regardless of religion
California WRFA / AB1964: Protection for religious attire and grooming