Labor Day weekend is upon us. This unofficial-end-of-summer holiday was first observed in 1885 and made a legal national holiday by Congress in 1894. According to the U.S. Department of Labor's website, Labor Day is "dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

But for most of us, the idea behind the day is to rest from our labors. Did you know that most Americans spend a minimum of 80,000 hours--or 10,000 days--of their lives working? Our work is a source of identity for many of us ("What do you do?"), and a source of pressure and struggle for most of us. Whether you hold a traditional job in the market place, or if you put in your hours toiling as a stay-at-home mom (or dad), your vocation is no doubt one of the dominant themes of your life. Full-time or part-time, inside or outside the home, for yourself or for somebody else, or even as a volunteer, our work always seems to find its way to the center of our lives. 

Work. If we can't do enough of it, we risk losing what we have. If we try to do too much of it, we risk losing our health and our families. We can starve if we do too little, and we can burn ourselves out if we emphasize it too strongly.

Work has been a major topic for many of us the past few years, with many jobs being redefined after the Covid shutdown, and then the uncertain economy to follow. It's surely a stressful time, especially in a corporate world where "downsizing" is the order of the day and many of our jobs teeter on the brink of being eliminated at any time. There's also constant stress on the job itself, with long hours, high expectations, and trying to pay the bills with what we bring home in a world where our paychecks aren't keeping pace with inflation. And I haven't even mentioned having to put up with an ornery boss or a whining co-worker. Working for a living is hard work!

It's important we remember that we don't have to face our employment by ourselves, that our occupation is as important to God as it is to us. It was God who invented work--contrary to popular belief, work itself is not a curse--and He desires that we provide for our families, and honor Him, through our work. 

The Bible speaks volumes on the subject of work and God's will for how we approach our vocation. The very wise King Solomon wrote these words in Ecclesiastes 5:18-19: "...I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God." (NLT)

What a concept. Instead of seeing your work as a miserable obligation to be endured, you can choose to see it as a gift of God to be enjoyed. It's all about your perspective, and your heart that is inclined toward gratitude.

All that to say on this Labor Day weekend...keep up the good work! May God bless you in your job, may He use you in your work place, and may He be honored in all you do as you find satisfaction in your toilsome labor.

I am praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

--Pastor Ken