Living Out His Love in the Marketplace

I have been a Communication lecturer for more than a decade now. Honestly, this was never in my plans. I had never pictured myself standing in front of a classroom, teaching young adults about public speaking, writing, and how to express themselves clearly. But here I am, and it’s only by God’s grace that I have not only coped but found joy in this unexpected journey.

When I first took this path, I didn’t feel qualified. I was hesitant. I doubted myself. But deep inside, I knew God had placed me here for a reason. Over the years, He has shown me again and again that He equips those He calls. My husband has always reminded me: “You are placed here not just to teach Communication. You are here for your students, for your colleagues, for those who need light and guidance. This is your mission field.”

That encouragement has shaped how I see my everyday work. Teaching in a university here in Cambodia, in an environment where open expressions of faith are not always welcomed, is challenging. I cannot always speak about Jesus directly in the classroom. Policies, cultural sensitivities, and respect for diversity mean that I have to find other ways to live out my faith. But that has made me even more determined. Because the truth is: we are all placed somewhere for a reason. Some are called to the mission field overseas. Some are called to serve their church full-time. And many of us are called to live as salt and light right where we are in offices, schools, hospitals, construction sites, markets, and classrooms. 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.”

1 John 4:7–9

A New Semester, A New Opportunity

At the start of every semester, I feel a sense of wonder. The hallways of our university fill up again with the sound of chatter, laughter, hurried footsteps. Students shuffle in, clutching notebooks and phones. Faculty rooms are busy again, schedules posted on boards, and the aroma of morning coffee fills the air.

For many, it’s just another school term. A routine. But for me, as a believer, it feels like standing at the shoreline of the sea, wide, fresh, full of possibilities. Every student who sits in my class is another opportunity to show patience, understanding, and love. Every colleague I meet is another chance to plant a seed of grace. And while I may not be able to preach openly, I know that how I live, how I speak, how I react, how I care, can be my testimony.

Because love cannot be silenced. No policy, no restriction can ever stop us from living out God’s love.

Love Starts With God

Everything begins with love. You and I are here today, alive and breathing, because of God’s love. He created us out of love, not because He needed us, but because He wanted us to experience His goodness. And His greatest act of love was sending His Son, Jesus, to save us.

The apostle John reminds us in 1 John 4:9 that God showed His love in the most powerful way, by sending Jesus to live among us, die for our sins, and rise again. We didn’t deserve it. We couldn’t earn it. Yet He loved us anyway.

That is the kind of love that changes everything.

And when you’ve experienced that kind of love, you cannot help but share it.

Living Out Love Wherever We Are

Sometimes we think loving others means doing something big. We imagine giving up our job and going on missions. Or starting a big charity. Those are wonderful things. But love doesn’t always have to be grand. Most of the time, love looks like simple, quiet acts in the everyday moments, at work, at school, in the market.

Love is taking time to listen to a student who seems troubled.
Love is being kind to a coworker who’s rude because they’re hurting.
Love is offering to help when no one else wants to.
Love is treating everyone with dignity, even those who disagree with your faith.

Wherever God has placed you right now, that is your mission field. And your greatest tool is love.

Five Reflections on God’s Love in the Marketplace

Here are five truths to reflect on as you live out your faith in your workplace, school, or wherever you spend your days:

1. You are placed there for a reason.

God does not make mistakes. Your job, your classroom, your circle of influence, they are all part of His plan for you to be His representative there.

2. Love is more powerful than words.

Even when you can’t openly talk about Jesus, your actions and attitude speak louder than any sermon.

3. Everyone you meet is someone Jesus loves.

Even the most difficult coworker or the student who doesn’t seem to care, Jesus died for them too.

4. Your worth is not in your performance.

Your value comes from God’s love, not from how well you do at work or how many people you can reach.

5. You are not alone.

The Holy Spirit is with you every step of the way, giving you strength, patience, and wisdom.

Five Simple Applications of God’s Love

Here are five simple and practical ways to show God’s love at work or school:

1. Greet people with genuine warmth.

A smile, a kind word, or remembering someone’s name can brighten someone’s day and open hearts.

Pray: "Lord, help me see everyone today through Your eyes of love."

2. Be patient in difficult situations.

When misunderstandings or conflicts arise, choose to respond with calmness and grace.

Pray: "Give me patience when things don’t go my way, and let my words bring peace."

3. Look for ways to serve quietly.

Offer help without expecting anything in return, even small acts matter.

Pray: "Let me be a light today to someone who feels hopeless."

4. Pray for your colleagues and students.

You may never know what struggles they face, but your prayers can move mountains in their lives.

Pray: "Bless my students and coworkers, even those who are difficult. Show them Your love through me."

5. Stay rooted in God’s Word.

Start your day with Scripture and ask God to help you reflect His love in everything you do.

Pray: "Keep my heart humble and full of grace no matter what happens today."

A Heart Anchored in Grace

Friends, the love of God is not just something we talk about in church on Sundays. It’s what sustains us every single day. It’s what gives meaning to the routine, courage in the face of difficulties, and hope even when things feel heavy.

In Cambodia, where many of us live and work in places that don’t always welcome faith, our greatest testimony is how we love. Not just with words, but with how we treat others. We may be the only Bible some people ever get to read.

So wherever you are, in a noisy classroom, behind a computer in an office, selling in a stall at the market, remember this: you are anchored in God’s Word and grace. You are His representative there. You carry His love with you.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your great love that never fails. Thank You for sending Jesus so that we can have life and hope. Today, I surrender my workplace, my classroom, my surroundings to You. Help me to see every person as someone You dearly love. Teach me to live out Your love in everything I do — in my words, my actions, my attitude. Keep my heart anchored in Your Word and full of Your grace. Let me shine Your light wherever You have placed me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May you walk into this day confident of one thing: you are deeply loved, and you are called to love.