Labor Day

      Labor Day wasn't a real holiday in our household.  I recall very little celebration during that holiday as compared to many other holidays.  It seemed as if it was the time when little projects were taken care of.  In other words, we labored on labor day.  For us, it seemed to be a time of getting ready for fall and winter.  Historically, it seems to have begun around 1894 when a special day was called "Labor Day."  It was part of a political process  in that time but the day was set aside to honor those who were working in the industries of the country at that time.  First corinthians 15:58 says, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 
         The word "labor" appears some 89 in the Scriptures and the verse for today reminds us of its importance for the believer.  The reference here has to do with a specific labor that is done for the Lord.  Coupling this verse with other references helps us to see that our labor, that is, whatever we are doing should be done for The Lord.  Paul reminded the church in Colosse, in 3:17, "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."   That would guide us in our thinking that whatever we were to do, could and should be done with the Lord in mind.  I have cleaned toilets, stocked grocery store shelves, cleaned out barns, milked cows, cleaned parts for corn pickers on an assembly line, fed pigs, taught music and preached the gospel message wherever and whenever possible.   Paul reminded us that no matter what we are doing, whatever it is, should be done with honoring God at all times, whether it was cleaning a rusty plow with a brick or preaching the gospel at a funeral.  It is all to be done for the glory of God.  We might be thankful for another holiday and a paid time off of work, but let us recall that all of our work is to be done with the Lord in mind.  Paul's reminder to the Corinthians was that we should always be abounding in the work of the Lord because  we know that is not done in vain.  In the end, if it can't be done for the Lord or with the Lord in mind, perhaps we should not be doing it at all.  Praise God today that has given all of us a job to do in the world today.  May we be found faithful in His work.