Happy Labor Day! For most of us, today represents the last day of summer. It’s time to put away the white shoes and straw bags, and air out the sweaters and coats in anticipation of the cooler weather to come. It’s a chance to “go to the river one more time,” grill out, or just have a lazy day at home.
Today is the 125th anniversary of Labor Day being celebrated as a national holiday. The day celebrates and honors the greatest worker in the world – the American worker! The form of what should occur on this day was included in the first proposal – a street parade to exhibit to the public the strength of trade and labor organizations, followed by a festival or picnic for the workers and their families, where speeches by local prominent people were made. Labor Day is different from all other holidays. It is devoted to no man – living or dead, no group or race – it is a day to celebrate the contributions of the American worker to the success of our nation. This day is dedicated to workers!
The Bible has much to say about workers. We know that God worked for six days creating the world, and rested on the seventh day. (Genesis 1) He, then took Adam and “put him in the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15) The church at Ephesus was told, “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28) So, one of the benefits of working is to be able to help others who might be in need. The church is Thessalonica was encouraged to “do your own business, and to work with your hands. . .” (Thessalonians 4:11) There is something very satisfying about “making something” with our own hands. As we work for others, we also are blessed.
Jesus worked. He said, “I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4) In Matthew 9:27, Jesus told His disciples, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” One of my favorite passages is Revelation 14:13, where John heard a “voice from heaven saying unto me, “Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth, Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.” Yes, working now, will enable sweet rest for eternity.
At the end of the book of Romans, Paul greets fellow Christians by name and describes them as “workers in the Lord.” (Romans 16:3; 16:9; 16:12; 16:21) Would others describe you as a “worker in the Lord?” God Bless, and Happy Labor Day, Courtney