Thrown into Babylon! I may be torn apart...

[Awakening234]

I've just started a new job in London. It was a big thing leading up to it all but....its all done. I'm here now and i've started my job (a few weeks gone).

But I feel so uneasy and lonely. I work with about 6 or 7 other guys on my shift. We are all supposed to be a team so I know for a fact I'm going to be getting to know these people pretty well over the coming weeks. Let me tell you briefly what i've sussed out so far. They all love to eat like gluttons at lunchtime, spend lots of money on Ipad's, iphones, expensive cars & clothes. They always talk about what "new"things they are going to buy for their houses and stuff. They are so "Materialistic" and have absolutely no reverence for God it makes me sick! There is a telly in the room. They all love RnB & Hip Hop and i've had to put up with seeing lustful MTV video's of Beyonce shakng her *** and the such! My manager is one of the "lads" lol. He is the one that will sign my probationary period off so my career is in his hands.

I've already got over the initial hurdle and declared my religion so they know where my beliefs are. Let me tell you that none of them feel the same way. Apart from 1 guy who openly said he simply goes church so his daughter can go to a good school, he doesn't believe in God.

I've already taken some "bible basher" insults in light hearted spirit but i'm scared.... I'm scared that once we've passed the forming & norming phases, they wont hold back and these Godless people will tear me apart! Either I will end up joining the banter with them (I don't usually curse but the Sin virus is starting to affect me and the F word has slipped out of my mouth a few times....) or I will simply suffer the persecution for being a stuck up goodie two shoes Christian. I pray to God I can find the strength that I can hold my own and fight back in an integral way, but then I realise, this is such a devilish world we live in.

I have no wife at home to discuss these problems with, only God, and you guys.
I dont want to place the burden of worry on my parents and friends who I have left behind to come here (London). I want them to think its all working out so they can be happy for me. Or is this wrong?

 

[Brother Mike]

Where is the Light?

I feel ya!!! Working in this unsaved place we call planet Earth can be a awesome Challenge for us Christians.

A few years back, the Lord asked me to work in a country Bar, where they served Steak. Country??? There can't be more horrible music on the Planet, certainly God was not that cruel. I tried to ignore it, but after a bit, I just obeyed and applied.

Got hired right away, and I became a server.

In this bar, the cooks were doing meth downstairs, my manager was gay, and talk about everyone wanting to drink and just party. I could see why God wanted me there.

See, if the light burns out in a room, it's time to put in a light bulb......

Well, I was made fun of, for a bit............... Until they saw that I was different. I never judged, I never acted offended, and certainly I was not at all offended. I could care less what they did.

Soon, lots of them were coming for me to pray over them, seemed everyone just liked me, and it was funny, they stopped cursing around me.

One night the girl cooks in back where flashing everyone full front shots, and asked if I was offended.. I just smiled and told them if my food gets out late, then, I will be offended. It made such a big impression on one girl, that a month latter she just hugged me and gave her life to Jesus. I guess she was tired of all the drugs and problems.

Awakening234

I really want you to pay attention to what I am going to ask you. I know it's a good Job, I know you need that Job, but that is not the most important thing.
I was called by God to go to that place, and none of it bothered me one bit, the one inside me is greater than all that darkness combined.

However............... Had I just gone in on my own accord. I would not have been graced, and favored to be there. I would have put myself in a position to fall, and stumble, without the grace of God.

Are you suppose to be there? If you were, the grace to be the light, would be on you, and none of this would bother you.
Think about it, for where your place is, that is where the grace is.
This is not about being super Christian, none of us are without the Power from above to sustain it.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Awakening234]

The light came on

Thanks for your words Brother Mike. Its been an interesting day.

Firstly, I did not know or feel in a sense that God had sent me to where I am but your questions definitely started the thinking process.

I questioned why I left my old job, Because if I didn't, I would stagnate. I was mentored by a Christian colleague at my old work place to pursue this. He was a an Angel in disguise and he always defended me against the dogs of the work place, I guess part of my insecurity at my new place is I don't have him around to back me up. I'm by myself essentially.

Anyway, I was working today (and Yesterday - we do odd shifts and I had to give up the bank holiday Easter...).
Yesterday, Satan was playing tricks on my mind all day. My mind was in despair. I was questioning and questioning (am I really meant to be here? Maybe this is a big mistake! Why am I lumbered with these people?) I should apply for another job, should I go back to my old place?

My self-righteousness against my colleagues was also a problem. But today my materialistic colleagues, though a little rough and loud on the banter, are still human. They have a moral code they stick to. They live up to their own standards of integrity ie; They are not A** holes. Infact one of them admitted he likes my chilled out nature which was a relief!
Today I was not scared, why should I be? They can't rip me apart because I won't allow it. I know in time that they will realise how much of an asset and blessing I will be on their team. In time I hope to earn their respect. But I must battle to remain myself in this place and not give into to temptation & influence (though having MTV video's in the background when working the bank holiday with no senior managers will be tough, we all know how sexualised music video's are now!)

During my last job I prayed to God, "please don't let me rot away in this place". Shortly afterwards I got offered this job. This job is a career job, I am a specialised engineer. Why is my career important? To change the legacy of my family background. I come from a divorced family and we have always lived on British council estates (the rough area's). We are generally on the lower end of the social scale. However, my purpose is to change the legacy of it all! I also have a family in India (who struggle financially) I would like to help. Also my career could lead me there someday (my profession is big in India).

After you asked your question Mike, I came to the conclusion that this is where God has placed me on assignment. I strongly feel this is not some dark place of the beaten road, this is where I am supposed to be...for now.

Once again thank you for putting the question in my mind, this was what I needed to ask myself.