Labor Day

“Whatever you do, do it from the heart for the Lord and not for people.  You know that you will receive an inheritance as a reward.  You serve the Lord Christ.”  Colossians 3:23-24

In thinking about today being Labor Day, I felt somehow it needed to tie biblically to the secular holiday we celebrate on the first Monday of September each year. 

Labor Day was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans and is celebrated with parties, street parades and athletic events.  President Grover Cleveland signed into law the act to make Labor Day a federal holiday on June 28, 1894.  To date, the true founder of Labor Day remains a mystery.  (history.com)

Below is what I feel is the tie I was looking for.  This is from TheCove.org and is titled, “Celebrating Labor Day:  Honoring God in Your Work.”

As Labor Day approaches, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the value of work in our lives. The holiday, often viewed as a last summer celebration or a break from our routines, offers an opportunity to consider the deeper, spiritual significance of our work here on earth.

Work can often feel like a relentless cycle of tasks and responsibilities. Yet, when we align our efforts with God’s will, our labor gains eternal significance. Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

By dedicating our work to God, we invite His presence into our daily activities, infusing them with purpose and meaning. Billy Graham once said, “But Labor Day, I believe, should also be a time when we ask God to help us see our work from His point of view. Let’s be honest; work isn’t always exciting, and when we focus only on its problems or spend our time wishing we were doing something else, we’ll probably end up resentful, angry, or bored. But when we begin to see our work from God’s point of view, our attitude will be much different. We’ll begin to realize that God gave our work to us, and because of this it has dignity and importance.”

This Labor Day, we pray that you find rest in Christ.

Have a happy and safe holiday!