The past few days over the Chinese New Year break have been restful. Between visiting family, eating way too many pineapple tarts, and frolicking from house to house, I also found myself with space to think.
One of the things I had been contemplating more about was my work, and where I’m going with my career.
A lot has shifted over the past few months. I went from feeling restless and strongly considering a career switch, to feeling settled in my current role as a digital experience designer – a job I’ve been in for almost two years now.
Now that I feel more content in my current season, I’ve entered a new phase of discernment – not whether I should stay, but how I should grow.
I’ve been revisiting questions like:
- What does work mean to me?
- What does work mean to God?
- What truly matters to me?
- How do I ensure work never becomes an idol?
- How can my career remain something that glorifies Him?
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
– Colossians 3:23-24
Working heartily for The Lord
Regardless of the season I’m in, there is one thing I refuse to be: lazy. Scripture calls the lazy person a “sluggard”, someone who lacks motivation and fails to live up to their potential.
Sometimes laziness stems from a distorted view of work. If we see work merely as a means of survival (a way to pay bills, afford comfort, or secure stability), our motivation becomes shallow. When work is reduced to provision alone, it easily becomes draining, transactional, or even burdensome.
Since God is ultimately our provider, work is not about securing our worth or survival. It is an act of stewardship and worship. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, we are to work “for the Lord and not for men.”
We work not to earn God’s acceptance, we already have that in Christ, but because we reflect a working Creator. We work to serve others and honour Him.
Understanding this perspective transformed everything for me. Whether under a difficult boss or no supervision at all, I want to work with integrity because my true audience is God. Even the unseen tasks like washing dishes, clearing emails, and preparing slides matter.
I’ve also been reflecting on what excellence truly means. Perhaps the secret to consistent excellence is simply this: remembering that we are always working for an audience of One.
The choice between family and career
Not long ago, my boss spoke to me (not-so-subtly) about career progression. He hinted that there are generally two observable paths within our team: some choose to prioritise life outside of work, while others, intentionally or not, experience faster career growth because they have fewer responsibilities beyond the office. There isn’t a moral hierarchy here. Just different choices, with different outcomes.
If you had asked me a year ago what I wanted, I would have said without hesitation: accelerate my career. But now, with the possibility of marriage steadily materialising, the decision feels more layered.
I understand the trade-offs. Climbing the corporate ladder while building a family is challenging. Not impossible, but the pace of progression will likely shift. And if it ever comes down to it, family will be my priority.
At the same time, I don’t want to neglect my career. I genuinely believe God has entrusted me with a specific set of skills and creative instincts. It would be poor stewardship not to hone them.
Perhaps it’s not about swinging to the extreme of choosing one and neglecting the other. I believe there is a healthy balance that I can strike, where I’m positively impacting both my family and the marketplace.
I’ve realised that living wisely often means wrestling victoriously in the in-betweens, to balance various realities, and to weigh desires against what the Word says.
Handling career and family is no different. Surely, there’s a balance and a harmonious equilibrium. Some workplaces make that equilibrium more attainable, others not as much.
It’s my prayer that my workplace remains fairly flexible and family-friendly. And I pray that when it comes time to find a balance, I will be able to do so with God.
What is within my control, and what is not?
In the meantime, I think it’s important to distinguish what I can control from what I must surrender. I don’t want to be passive. I want to take prayerful, intentional action where I can and trust God with the rest.
Where we choose to work
To some extent, this is within our control. But there are instances where The Holy Spirit truly prompts and stirs in us a calling to be in a specific place or vocation. I’ve come to learn that this can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand: How beautiful that God makes things clear. On the other: Well… now I don’t really have a choice. Obedience carries both privilege and weight.
How things go at work
Stability is sometimes an illusion. I think many who believed their roles were secure have found themselves caught in sudden layoffs. Things are uncertain and ever-changing. Industry shifts, work demands, workplace politics, timing of promotions, company restructures, recognition, and others’ progressions are all out of our control.
Yet we’re not completely powerless. We can develop skill, we can communicate clearly about growth, and we can maintain a posture of learning. I’m of the view that, at the end of the day, being good at what you do – paired with humility and clarity – goes a long way.
Who you work with
We rarely get to choose our colleagues. Difficult bosses, gossiping coworkers… these are realities many navigate. It’s no surprise that research highlights the importance of workplace relationships. In a survey of 5,902 workers, the Pew Research Center found that strong satisfaction with workplace relationships significantly contributes to overall job satisfaction, even when employees feel dissatisfied in other key aspects.
In this area, I feel especially grateful. Many of my colleagues are people I would consider friends. I don’t take that for granted.
So how can work be worship?
Missional
To be salt and light. Not in a performative way, but in small, consistent acts of love. Going beyond to serve and love my colleagues and superiors, within wise boundaries.
Work excellently
Do my work well and show others what it looks like to be empowered by The Holy Spirit. To reflect Christ in my diligence and effort to produce beautiful work, just like how God masterfully created every good and beautiful thing and being.
Don’t compromise values
Creative agencies often celebrate boldness and experimentation. That’s part of the beauty of the industry. But sometimes that culture invites secular or new-age practices. I’ve been invited multiple times to tarot readings. I’ve declined each time, gently but firmly. At company dinners where alcohol flows freely, I’ve also chosen to abstain.
I think these moments show consistency in my values, and I don’t take authenticity lightly. Hypocrisy does a huge disservice in the Kingdom of God and I want to guard my heart against that behaviour.
I hope that in remaining mindful about my actions, I can show how being in a corporate environment doesn’t mean I have to conform to certain ways of thinking or patterns that would compromise my faith. I can be in the world, but not of it.
In conclusion
Whatever I do, I want to do it with excellence and love because it reflects my Father in Heaven.
In good times, praise God.
In tough times, praise God.
Through all seasons, trust God.
Come to Him boldly in prayer.
Give thanks in all circumstances.
Be still.
Experience His peace.
Do not worry.
And always remember the everlasting hope we have in Him.