Labor Day is celebrated the first Monday in September in the US and Canada. The definition according to Merriam-Webster is a day set aside for special recognition of working people. As stated by the US Department of Labor, this day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. In todays society it is often celebrated as the end of summer, a time for one last vacation or the final BBQ of the year with family and friends.
I am not sure what has happened to our county and the standards of Labor Day. Work ethics just don’t seem to be what they once were. Many people today seen to view work as something to be avoided or an exemption rather than a responsibility. This trend does not seem to be age, race or gender based. It is wide spread across the board.
As I began thinking about this, I went back to take a look at what the bible says about work. Amazingly God designed us to work from the very beginning. In Genesis 2:15 the bible tells us, The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. In Genesis 2:18 it continues, The Lord God said, “it is not good for a man to be alone, I will make a helper suitable for him”. The Lord placed Adam and Eve in the garden to work, this was part of Gods plan in the very beginning of time. He designed us to be workers.
I also believe God did not just design us to work but he also outlined a plan for us to follow on how we should work. Gods word says in Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord not men. HE is telling us to WORK HARD! What ever job you have work hard at it. We have always told our children, “It does not matter if you are a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company or a trash collector, do your job with pride. Do it to please God not man.
I just recently partnered with my husband and entered back into the work force. I was a stay at home mom for 18 years. (i.e.: the hardest yet most rewarding job one can ever have) I love my job and the chance it has given me to work along side the man I love. Fortunately the career path I have chosen allows me to work from home and have a flexible schedule. I give 100% of myself to my job when I am working. I look at it as an chance to bless others. I take my job very seriously and this year Labor Day has meant something a little different to me. It gave me an opportunity to sit back, reflect and be THANKFUL for the opportunity God gave me to work. My prayer is for the mindset of our country to change its attitude towards work. To work with pride and integrity but to also find rest. Even God took a break. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Genesis 2:3….. So on this Labor day I hope you all have a safe, happy and restful day!
Grounded in Grace 