Following Jesus in Your First Job (Part One: Becoming Willing)

By: Sophia Karlovich

There is something exciting about getting your first real job after college. You have spent years preparing for this moment, and suddenly you have a title, a salary, a desk, and a schedule that makes you feel like you have officially entered adulthood.

But once the excitement wears off a little, you may find yourself asking, Where does my faith actually fit into all of this?

When I started my first job at a large public accounting firm, I leaned too much on the idea of “living out my faith through my actions.” While that is important, I was also worried about what my coworkers would think about me if I was vocal about my faith. So, I didn’t mention things that were important to me like going to church or attending Bible study. 

One day, it clicked that while living out my faith through my actions and how I treat people is important, I don’t have to hide the fact that Jesus is a part of my life. I can talk about the weekly Bible study I attend, the Josiah Queen concert I went to in Chicago, and the fact that I go to church on Sundays. These things are as much a part of me as my Wordle streak and my 30 Under 30 Bucket List—maybe even more so.

So, I started mentioning these things when a coworker would ask what I did over the weekend. And I quickly found that no one looked at me weird or made a rude comment. In fact, they were all respectful of my faith and supportive when I asked to take a few hours off on Monday nights to attend Bible study during our busy season. 

God also used my willingness to be open about my faith to create an opportunity to start a Bible study with a coworker who I also consider a friend. This Bible study has become such a highlight of my month because not only do I get to spend time with my friend, but I get to learn from her and study the Bible together. 

That experience taught me that I don’t need to force conversations about my faith. I just need to be willing to be honest about what matters to me and trust God with the opportunities that follow.

But following Jesus at work isn’t only about how our coworkers see us. It’s also about remembering who we are when our work isn’t going well. Those moments are powerful to show the character of Jesus, and open opportunities about walking with Him.