Take that coffee break!

Most businesses and organizations give their employees a couple of coffee breaks and a lunch break. Length of time varies depending on the company and the position, but in the Western world; this is pretty much standard operational practice.

Unfortunately, many of us choose to remain in our offices or on the job site, instead of heading to the break room.

In Colossians 4, Paul writes, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (4:5-6)

According to these verses, locking ourselves in our office or staying on the job site just to squeak out 10 more minutes of work might not seem like the wisest decision. Furthermore, it’s not really making the most of every opportunity.

Continuing to work when others take a break will only have a negative impact on our co-workers and the people we lead. Alternately, by engaging in conversation over coffee or lunch, we show others authenticity.

We are real people, aren’t we?

More importantly from a Christ-centred perspective, taking a break shows that we care about the people around us. Moreover, we might just receive an opportunity to share the Gospel. This is when the words of grace and salt come in! I’d encourage you to read through chapter 4 of Colossians.

We should honestly and prayerfully think back through the past month, asking God to help us recount the number of times we have taken a break with the people we work with. We should try to figure out a rough percentage of the time.

Perhaps, we should think back through the conversations? Was our conversation graceful and salty, or did we just continue to talk about work? Maybe it’s time for us to start scheduling breaks like appointments?

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

• Do you take breaks at work or do you work straight through your day?
• If you work straight through, what’s your motivation?
• How does that impact the people around you?