Happy Labor Day friend! We have reached the unofficial end of summer, which means we all need to pack away our white pants until Memorial Day rolls around again.

Today’s federal holiday was signed into effect in 1894 by President Grover Cleveland. On this day we pause “to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of the laborers to the development and achievements of the United States” (thanks Wikipedia!).

We all have jobs, whether we work outside the home or inside the home. Whether we are formally compensated for the work we do or if we don’t see a dime. Whether we are contractually employed or if the work we do is largely unseen and voluntary. Whether we are of working age, retired or a young child. We all have work we do each day.

We can pause for a moment to also reflect on the work that God calls us to do – to glorify Him in all things (word, deed and heart motivation). The Bible is clear about work; many passages talk about work, including:

• Exercising our spiritual gifts for the betterment others (Romans 12:4-8)
• How someone who refuses to work should also not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10-13)
• Even in the Old Testament God gave specific jobs to His people down to the individuals who would carry the poles of the Tabernacle (Numbers 4:29-33) [as a Type A personality, I love seeing God’s hand in the details!]).

During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were furloughed and their work future was unclear at best, including myself. During that time, I felt God strongly reminding me that people “get” to go to work – not “have” to go to work; that work is a gift and a blessing.

May your pause today offer you the space to reflect on the work you do, how it may be a blessing in your life and how you may continue to work for man as though you work for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).

Photo credit: Nick Morrison via Unsplash.com