As a Christian, you are most likely facing one of the hardest and most complex challenges of your life — work and education. We recognise the formidable nature of this journey, filled with the demands of fitting in and excelling within your roles and education, all while sustaining a vibrant social life.

This chapter assumes significant importance, given that you dedicate a substantial portion of your time to both your educational and work-related pursuits. Particularly as a Christian, it is imperative to navigate this terrain with wisdom. Therefore, we offer practical guidance, distilled from our own past missteps (of which there have been many). It’s worth noting that the principles we discuss here are applied to both realms of work as well as education — hence our decision to merge the two domains.

Navigating the pressures of education and work can be challenging, especially when it comes to peer influence. Regarding peer pressure, which is so heavily integrated within the social life/workspace, we thought it would be best to make that a separate chapter as there is a lot to talk about and it also takes place within multiple environments.

In this chapter, we will be focusing on the positive impact we can have on others as well as what kind of person we should aim to be in such an environment.

Having a Positive Impact on Others

Your friends and colleagues are the ones you spend a lot of your time with, and the way you behave and interact with them can have a huge impact on their lives. So why not be the one who sets the example? Show them what it means to live a life pleasing to God, and let your light shine in the darkness.

In fact, the Bible says in Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Living your life as an example affords you the remarkable opportunity to exert a positive influence on those around you, drawing them closer to Christ and making them aware of Him. Therefore, never underestimate the profound impact you can have on others, and constantly strive to embody the finest version of yourself, illuminating the darkness of the world around you.

We all recognise the significance of light when we find ourselves in darkness. Consider the importance of street lamps and the lights within our homes. A power outage can open doors to potential disasters — such as accidents, impaired visibility, and straying from intended paths. Light serves as both our protector and guide, directing us on where to tread and where to avoid, illuminating the right course of action. Without it, we often feel disoriented and vulnerable.

In the same way, by becoming a source of light to those around us, we aid people in perceiving the world and life in the manner God intended: a life filled with happiness, peace, and love.

Right now, many people are living a life full of darkness and evil without fully realising it. Although they may not know it, we can make them aware by reflecting God’s words through our attitudes and actions. We can be the reason for people to see and acknowledge the goodness of our Father in Heaven because of the light that is shining through us.

The way we imagine how God sees us is that He has chosen us to be the light for everyone around us. We are to stand out to them like no one else. In darkness, everyone is drawn to light — we are almost like small lanterns that can lead the path to the ultimate never-dying light, which is Jesus Christ.

How Can I Be the Light and Difference?

Some of you may be quite reserved and may not be so outgoing, but in order to do God’s will and be an example, we do not need to be loud and extroverted (unless some of you already are).

Look at Moses, for example — if you didn’t know already, Moses was a stutterer and didn’t feel as though he could deliver God’s message to the Jews, but God was still able to use him to save His people. God may have different plans and uses for all of us but ultimately, He is still able to use us for the furthering of His Kingdom.

Take some time and ask God to direct you and use you. We can assure you He has a plan for you.

We remember being in school and not really speaking boldly about our faith — maybe because at the time our relationship wasn’t as strong with Jesus as it is now, but also because we weren’t as outspoken and confident. If we could go back in time knowing what we know now, we would show our faith through our actions.

By this, we simply mean doing little things that can have a significant impact on one’s life — for example:

• Talking to someone who doesn’t seem to have many friends.

• Helping someone with their work if they are struggling.

• Implementing the smallest of gestures like smiling at someone in a hallway.

These small actions go a long way. You never know what someone may be going through, and showing small acts of kindness to those who may not receive it often can actually have a huge impact on their life. Jesus would do the same, and we are sure He will be proud of you when you show love to everyone around you. This is the gospel.

Verses on How We Should Act Toward One Another

Here are some of our favourites:

• Colossians 3:12 — Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

• Galatians 6:10 — Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

• Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

• Galatians 5:22-23 — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.