Labor Day

Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being. - U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

In today’s world, work is dreaded and often considered a four-letter word. Sadly, Labor Day has become a celebration of a 24-hour reprieve from work (if you are lucky enough to get the day off). However, from the beginning, we were created for work (Genesis 1:28). Labor is discussed hundreds of times in the scriptures, and Jesus even uses the theme in his teaching to speak of the true life of a disciple. Granted, our labor here on earth in a broken creation became much more difficult when sin entered the picture (Genesis 3:19). Despite its complexity and difficulty, work is something that we should be joyful about, working heartily or gladly.

Colossians 3:23–24

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

As Christians, our work isn’t merely trading our time for resources to pay the bills, although that is necessary and important. We are called to a Kingdom focus in which our efforts are centered on a higher purpose (Colossians 3:17, 1 Corinthians 10:31) and mission (Matthew 28:18-20). As a result, the Good News is lived (Matthew 5:14-26) and proclaimed throughout the world (2 Timothy 4:2). These God-glorifying efforts are never in vain.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Therefore, may our work, as children of God, be something celebrated and enjoyed not only on a holiday, but every single day. Let the chorus of the old song “We'll Work Till Jesus Comes” by Elizabeth Mills in 1837 ring true in our hearts and play in our mind’s playlist as we labor on.

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

We'll work till Jesus comes,

And we'll be gathered home.

That is something to celebrate!

Eyes up,

Ryan