Pastor Stephen Gibson
September 2022
This month is the one we associate with Labor Day, a day that ironically many people have a break from their regular work. It tends to mark the end of the summer travel season and the transition to the season of autumn.
We recognize some institutions from the Garden of Eden, especially those of marriage and the Sabbath. Both of these we trace back to our Creator as special gifts to us, demonstrating a facet of His love for humans. Yet one of the valuable gifts from the hand of the Creator in Eden is labor/work. This important gift from God is designed to be a blessing to all of creation.
Does God work? Genesis 2:2 makes it clear that God works, as well as rests. He designs that we should work as well as rest, since He desired for us to be made in His image. Jesus indicated that His Father works (John 5:17) and Jesus joined Him in His work. Eventually there would come a point where one phase of Jesus’ work was completed and He knew when that time had come (John 17:4).
Does God want us to follow His example in our work? We read in the Ten Commandments that the Lord made heaven and earth and sea in six days (Exodus 20:11). Apparently this was His way of demonstrating how He intended us to live, because He directs us to labor for six days and do all our work (Ex. 20:9).
Then, not only are we to work as God did for six days, but we are to rest as He rested on the Sabbath (Ex. 20:10; Genesis 2:2-3). Our rest is to involve not just ceasing the routine of work for ourselves, but also allowing others to rest as well (Ex. 20:10). If everyone followed this admonition, we would live in a far better world.
As with most things, labor or work needs to be kept in balance. Some can get so caught up in work that they attempt to keep going seven days a week instead of pausing to accept the Creator’s invitation to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10; Matthew 11:28). Others can be unable to find the job they are looking for or be in a situation where their ability to work is compromised. But as a general principle, it’s healthy to be laboring. Paul set an example of being diligent in work. He believed people should work if they were wanting to eat (2 Thess. 3:8-10).
Having meaningful work is a great blessing. At this season we give thanks for the work/jobs that we do have. Whether we get paid or not, the benefits to us still remain. And we remember the appeal given by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:58: …Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (NIV).
God bless as you are employed by Him this Labor Day and the days that follow. He’s a wonderful One to work for, and His plan for rest is unsurpassed.