As a carer, can I share my faith at work?
Written by Lucy Honeysett
It’s a good question and it crops up in discussion a lot! As I meet with carers, many of you long for opportunities to share Jesus with the people you care for. Some of those receiving your care are suffering, feeling lost in the darkness, and are rapidly facing eternity. We know what a difference Jesus has made to us, and we want to share this remarkable gift of grace with others. But can we do this? And if we can, how?
I don’t have all the answers, but let’s take time to consider what we can do, what the Bible says and how we might live in a Christ-like way as we care.
First, we are called to care.
What you do as a carer is precious and noticed by God. In Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus says that if anyone feeds someone, provides a drink, clothes them and cares for them, they are doing this for Him. Jesus doesn’t mention here a need to also share the gospel. He simply asks us to care deeply and meet their need. Doing this job to the best of our ability is pleasing to God and important to Him.
As a nurse, I belong to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), and we have a code of professional conduct that I must adhere to. The Skills for Care conduct is similar for Adult Social Care. The NMC code says this, which I think is also aligned to care and our biblical view: You put the interests of people using or needing your care first. You make their care and safety your main concern and make sure that their dignity is preserved, and their needs are recognised, assessed, and responded to. You make sure that those receiving care are treated with respect.
The code also tells you that you must ‘make sure you do not express your personal beliefs (including political, religious or moral beliefs) to people in an inappropriate way’. What is key here is the phrase ‘inappropriate way’. As we are clothed in Christ, pray without ceasing and show the fruit of the Spirit, there is no room for inappropriateness. We are called to let our gentleness be evident to all (Phil 4:5).
1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 helps us understand what love is and isn’t. The word love can be replaced with God to fully understand His character, and as we are imitators of Christ, with His help, we can show these attributes too. ‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged’ (1 Corinthians 13: 4-5 NLT).
How do we shine for Christ?
As God’s children, we are also called to be His light. Jesus says in Matthew 5:14-16: ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’.
In Fruitfulness on the Frontline, Mark Greene shares snapshots of what living for Christ might look like to help us see what God might do in and through us on the frontline. I hear many of the carers connected to Christians in Care apply this every day, and I’m confident God is being glorified as you shine bright for Him. Here are some of his thoughts:
Model godly character
We can display the fruit of the Spirit in whatever circumstance we find ourselves in (Gal 5:22-23). With God’s help, we can be loving, joyful, peaceful and peace-giving, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.
Make good work
What difference could we make if we commit ordinary tasks to God and ask Him for help and consciously do this for His glory? When providing care, or doing the shopping, or preparing a meal for someone, or administering medication, washing the car, doing the ironing, completing a care plan.
Minister grace and love
We can be compassionate to people around us and choose to extend grace to them. We can take an interest in people (colleagues, those at the shop till, at the garage) and use opportunities God gives us to go above and beyond to show love and kindness.
Mould the culture
We can contribute to moulding a culture that better reflects God’s ways and His kingdom priorities (choosing not to engage in gossip, choosing to find positives and not join in with the moans).
Mouthpiece for truth and justice
God loves justice and loves to see it done. We may find there are times when we must speak up and speak out.
Messenger of the gospel
By God’s grace and in His time, we will have opportunities to communicate the reason for the hope that we have in Jesus, bring a biblical perspective into the conversation, or just tell others the difference Jesus has made and is making in our lives.
So, let’s pray that we can provide excellent care, demonstrate God’s love and character as we care, and ask God to bring us opportunities to give the reason for the hope we have, always doing this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
Further reading:
Nursing and Midwifery Council - Code of professional conduct: https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/code/read-the-code-online/
Skills for Care - Code of Conduct:
Fruitfulness on the Frontline: Making a difference where you are - Mark Greene (Published by IVP, 2014)