Worked into a Frenzy? Let God Set Your Pace!

It’s Monday morning and I realize that I do not have to go to work. It’s a three day week-end. For most of America this holiday, Labor Day, holds little meaning anymore. But its inception held real value.  The first Labor Day called for street parades to demonstrate "the strength and morale of the trade and labor organizations" to the public, followed by recreational activities and amusements for workers and their families. By 1909, also dedicated the preceding Sunday to "the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement." In other words, Labor Day honored the American working class and gave homage to the spiritual qualities of work as well.  Work was honored, especially work that created jobs for Americans and items made in America.

We live in a time when labor is frowned on. Yet the Lord Himself honored work. “Six days shall you labor, but on the seventh day set it aside as a day of rest” was His formula for a God honoring lifestyle. How we ever made it through a Sunday with all the stores closed I’ll never know.  Setting time aside to honor the working class also reminds us to set aside time to honor the Lord who gave us the opportunities and abilities to work.  If we’re not careful, we’ll work and work and work and pretty soon we’ve forgotten that it was God who placed us where we are, it is God who grants us success and it is God who will care for us always.

Oh beloved, have you worked yourself into a frenzy? Do you find that there’s just “not time” to give God the time of day? Do you feel worn out, unappreciated, underpaid? Maybe you’re on the job hunt and there’s just not much out there. Perhaps you’ve worked hard, you have plenty of money and yet find no real meaning to this life? You’ve arrived and there’s nothing there. Today is the day to cease laboring for things that do not satisfy and run to His sheltering Arms. He loves you and He’s calling you to live life at a higher plain.  The Lord will renew your strength and give you a fresh perspective on work. He created the country you live in and He created you. He has a plan for your life and it is full of His success! Ask Him this morning to revive you personally and then to use you to revive others. Everything He has for you is a blessing and He’s always on your side, with you wherever you go! Let Him lead you to a better day for He is your Redeemer!

Isaiah 48:17 This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow.”

1 Corinthians 6:20  for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Ecclesiastes 3:13  And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of [anxious] toil—for He gives [blessings] to His beloved in sleep.