Inevitably, the people you admire, you imitate.  This can be bad or good, depending on their character.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:33: "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"  Then in 1 Corinthians 11:1 he says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."   Everybody follows somebody, and it is important to know who they follow.  Jesus said of the religious leaders who rejected Him, "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)

Those who love God should want to be like Him, and indeed, one day we shall be! (1 John 3:2).  God is love, but despite much Christian talk about love, many believers seem to miss the mark.  True love is always sacrificial - giving to build up someone else and meet their real needs.  That was what Jesus did for us.  He is the only person who followed God's example perfectly.  He made the invisible God, visible (Colossians 1:15), because He is God (John 1:1-3).  Jesus did not just do loving things or have some favourites; all of His life was motivated by love.  Even when dying on the cross He asked Father God to forgive His executioners (Luke 23:34).    

With His Spirit in us, we ought to be living His lifestyle (Galatians 5:22-23).  But often we are more influenced by those around us who seem to be pushing on in business or winning approval at work.  We can easily copy their style, which can be far from loving or sacrificial.  That is why we need this reminder from Paul.  He says that sacrificial love is like fine incense to God - attractive and desirable (by contrast with the stench of corruption that pervades the world).  After all, it is God's opinion that matters most.  We belong to Him, so what we do affects the pleasure of our relationship with Him as well as His reputation, and our reward (Revelation 22:12).

There is no better start to the working day than to spend a little time alone with the Lord.  Those minutes will help us to recalibrate our lives, remembering who we are in Christ, and what He demands of us.  Arrange to meet another Christian for prayer and study on a regular basis, and you will be surprised how your working environment leaps from routine monochrome into 3D colour.  The interesting thing is that when God is pleased, others find pleasure in you as well (Proverbs 16:7).  And that cannot be a bad thing in your workplace today!