Labor Day
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9
As a child, Labor Day confused me. I wondered that since it is supposed to be a day of rest from labor, basically a day off from work and school, then why did they call it Labor Day? Why didn’t they call it “Rest Day” or “National Day Off from Work Day”? I supposed it is because it is a day set aside to honor all those who labor who make this country run. I like that song by the country music group, Alabama, about those who work in the many occupations and professions who make a tremendous contribution to America. That song is on a CD that my husband burned several years ago. He put several of his favorites on the CD, and I still have it in the vehicle that he used to drive. I listen to it every time that I drive that 2004 Honda Element. It’s good to have things that bring back fond memories. My husband was a hard worker. He never had a high paying job, but he always put 110 per cent into whatever he did.
The Bible has many verses that speak about labor. Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 2:24 that “There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.” God meant for folks to work. He put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but he also gave them work to do, tending the crops and caring for the animals. He did not create an entitlement mentality. Matter of fact, we don’t deserve anything profitable or easy. Everything that we have comes from God’s grace. I think most people want to work and make a contribution to society. The best attitude to have about one’s work is, as Paul wrote in Colossians 3:23-24: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ”. Maybe no one appreciates that sometimes boring job that you do day in and day out, but the Lord appreciates it.
Of course, scripture also speaks about the labor that believers do in the service of the Lord. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Believers sometimes think they have to do some great thing for God because He did such a great thing for us in sending Christ to die for our sins. The greatest thing that one can do is to believe in Christ. I would imagine that God is more pleased with one’s repentance and trust in His Son than in any work that one can do, and we know that works can never save us. We serve Christ because we have been saved. It doesn’t matter how big or small a service is, it is important to the Lord.
If you have a job now, but it is not exactly what you want to be doing, just hold on. Perhaps a better one is just around the corner. No matter what your occupation is, just be the best at it that you can be, and be thankful that you have the ability to work. I am sure that your family appreciates it. Enjoy your day off.