No Labor Day?
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:12-13)
Why do we call the first Monday in September Labor Day? As I thought about a message for this day, I had this mental pause, wondering why we named the day with the word labor when that word literally means work. Shouldn’t it be No Labor Day? Okay, I’m not Jerry Seinfeld.
It is a national holiday of acknowledgement and honor for the American workforce. For many, a day to take a break or rest from one’s work. Over the years I think we’ve come to see this holiday as one that marks the end of summer. Summer vacations ending and the start of the new school year. When I was a kid, the school year began after Labor Day. But these days most schools are back in session in August. In the school district in which I live, the school begins the week before Labor Day making Labor Day the first holiday of the new school year. Go figure.
While this is the unofficial end of the season of summer, it does fill me with expectations of the fall season which is my favorite time of year, even though the summer chores are piled onto the outdoor fall preparation and cleanup work. Lawn care still carries on and getting ready for the winter season has a lot of added exterior work to do! But I digress.
So being a day of “no labor” should remind us of God’s outline of creation events. After the work of creation – day seven is a day of rest. Rest is important for our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. God prescribed a day of rest for our benefit. In the book of Exodus, chapter 20, versus 9 and 10, God gave this instruction of a seventh day of rest to the nation of Israel, so it is indeed important.
Happy no Labor Day - may we rest in it – enjoy the distraction from work, have fun activities and celebrations or just be still. However, you meet the day, let us remember that there are some who are still doing meaningful work today and rest is not the emphasis. Let’s also remember those who cannot work – and that God calls us to provide for their sustenance without judgement.
In this fast-paced world, when everything seems to move at a 24/7 rate of business, take time to rest. Determine to set a weekly no labor day when you can take that break and, in that rest, remember the Lord and give Him thanks for His goodness, blessings, and provisions in your life.
Almighty God, creator of our world and tireless Worker for our well-being, we give You thanks for the provision of work and the responsibility of stewardship. Guide us in the work we do and in being thankful for the value we receive for our efforts. We also pray for those seeking work opportunities – that their search be short and fruitful. We also remember our responsibility to provide assistance to those who cannot work. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.