People Are Part of the Assignment

Published September 15, 2026
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People Are Part of the Assignment

September 15th, 2026

Scripture: Colossians 4:5–6

“Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.”

Most of us think about work in terms of what needs to get done.

Meetings. Deadlines. Customers. Projects. Problems. Schedules.

But what if the work is only part of the assignment?

What if the people you work beside are part of why God has placed you there?

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YOUR WORKPLACE IS MORE THAN A WORKPLACE

You may spend more waking hours with coworkers than with many of your closest friends.

Think about that.

There are people you see almost every day whose:

◆stories you know,

◆ frustrations you hear,

◆ victories you celebrate,

◆ struggles you sometimes glimpse.

Yet it is easy to become so focused on getting the job done that we stop seeing the people doing it with us.

Paul tells believers to “make the most of the time” with those outside the faith.

That makes the workplace more than a place to earn a paycheck.

Work can become a Kingdom Platform.

PEOPLE ARE NOT PROJECTS

Seeing work as a mission field does not mean turning coworkers into evangelistic targets.

It means genuinely caring about them.

Ø Learn their story.

Ø Remember what matters to them.

Ø Ask about the situation they mentioned last week.

Ø Celebrate something that went well.

Ø Notice when something seems wrong.

Gospel relationships begin with real relationships.

Sometimes the first step toward sharing Jesus is simply showing someone that they matter to you.

YOUR WORK MAY ALREADY BE OPENING DOORS

Think about the conversations that naturally happen at work.

·   Someone is worried about a child.

·   Someone's marriage is struggling.

·   Someone is exhausted.

·   Someone received bad news.

·   Someone wonders why you handled a difficult situation differently.

·   Those moments can become openings.

·   Not openings to preach at someone.

Openings to listen, care, serve, pray—and when appropriate, talk naturally about the hope of Jesus.

You may not need to create a ministry opportunity. You may already be standing in one.

TRY THIS THIS WEEK

Think specifically about the people connected to your work.

Then choose one name.

Someone you work with.
Someone who works for you.
Someone you work for.
A customer, client, vendor, teacher, or business contact you regularly encounter.

Ask yourself:

What do I actually know about this person's life?

Then take one intentional step:

➤Ask a question.

➤ Listen carefully.

➤ Follow up on something they previously shared.

➤ Offer practical help.

➤ Begin praying for them by name.

Don't force anything. Just become more available.

Igniting hope may begin by seeing the person standing on the other side of the work.

THIS WEEK'S QUESTION

Do I see the people at work as part of my missional assignment—or merely part of my job?

REFLECT

     
  1. Who are the people I regularly rub shoulders with through my work?
    2.  
  2. Which person do I sense God asking me to notice more intentionally?
    3.  
  3. What would genuine care for that person look like this week?
    4.  
  4. Am I prepared to speak naturally about Jesus if God opens the door?

PRAY

“Jesus, thank You for the people You have placed around me. Keep me from becoming so focused on my work that I overlook the people within it. Help me listen, care, serve, and stay ready to share the enduring hope I have found in You.”

――

Pastor Brad Little