Dying to Self at Work

Work has a way of revealing what’s really happening in our hearts—our need for recognition, control, security, or the desire to prove ourselves. In this Faith@Work Devotional, we explore Romans 6 and what it means to be united with Christ in both His death and resurrection. Discover how surrendering old patterns creates space for Jesus to form something new in you—right in the middle of your everyday work.

Be equipped to live your faith out at work!

Transcript

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Welcome to the Faith at Work Devotional, where faith forms the way you work. I'm Kelsey Tim, and every other week we take a few minutes to slow down, open scripture, and invite Jesus into the middle of our everyday work. No matter what your role looks like, leadership, service, business, or behind-the-scenes faithfulness, your work matters to God. So let's take a moment. Quiet our hearts before him and listen for his voice together. United in his death at work, anchored in Romans 6, verse 5. For if we've been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6.5. There are moments at work that reveal what's really happening in our hearts. Maybe it's when someone else gets recognized for something you worked hard on. Maybe it's when your ideas are overlooked. Maybe it's when you're misunderstood in a conversation. Or when a difficult email lands in your inbox and you can feel your body tense before you even open it. Work has a way of exposing us, not to shame us, but to reveal the places where Jesus still wants to bring freedom. Romans 6 gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to be united with Christ. Not inspired by him, not trying to imitate him in our own strength, united with him, joined to him, sharing in his life. And Paul says something profound here that if we have been united with Christ in his death, we will also be united with him in his resurrection. That means following Jesus isn't just about behavior change. It's not about trying harder or to be more patient, trying hard to be kind, trying harder not to react. It's about surrender. Because something in us actually has to die. The parts of us that need recognition, the parts that need to be right, the parts that want to control, the parts that quietly tie our worth to performance, the parts that feel threatened when things don't go our way. And if we're honest, work often exposes those places faster than almost anywhere else. Because work touches identity. It touches responsibility, pressure, relationships, and it touches our need to feel valuable. And so often we can begin living as though our title, our productivity, or other people's opinions define us. But union with Christ changes that. Because if the old self was crucified with him, then I no longer have to be ruled by the same fears. I no longer have to prove myself. I no longer have to grasp for control. I no longer have to protect my image at all costs. This is what surrender looks like in everyday work. It looks like choosing humility when you want to defend yourself. It looks like blessing someone else when comparison creeps in. It looks like staying steady when outcomes feel uncertain. And it looks like choosing integrity when compromise would be easier. It looks like pausing before reaching and asking, Jesus, how would you have me respond here? And here's what's beautiful: the Christian life is not just death, it's resurrection. Romans 6 doesn't stop with crucifixion, it promises new life, which means Jesus is not simply asking you to lay something down, he's offering something better in its place. Where insecurity dies, peace can grow. When striving dies, trust can grow. Where pride dies, humility can grow. Where control dies, surrender can become strength. This is what spiritual maturity looks like. Not perfection, not never feeling frustrated, but becoming more aware of what rises in us in bringing it back to Jesus. Your workplace is not separate from your formation. It may actually be one of those primary places God is shaping you, the hard co-worker, the missed opportunity, the stressful season, the leadership pressure. These aren't just professional realities, they are invitations. Invitations to become more like Jesus, because resurrection life isn't just something we talk about on Sunday. It's meant to shape how we live on Monday. Ponder this with the Lord. Jesus, what keeps rising in me at work that you're inviting me to surrender? Where am I still trying to prove, protect, or control instead of resting in who I am in you? Jesus, thank you that my identity is secure in you. Show me the places where old patterns still rise in me at work. Teach me what it looks like to surrender those places and receive your life instead. Form my heart so I reflect you in how I lead, serve, and respond today. Amen. Thank you for spending these moments with me on the Faith at Work Devotional. As you step back into your work, may the Lord guide your decisions, form your heart, and help you reflect Him in all you do. This devotional is part of the Ministry of the Unity Foundation, where we encourage and equip people to live out their faith in the workplace. If you'd like to stay connected, sign up for our email list to hear about upcoming events, faith at work circles, and new podcast episodes. I'll meet you back here next time.