Today, we pause to observe a holiday that honors the work of human hands and the dignity of labor. For many, it’s a day off: a cookout, a weekend of special activities, and a final taste of summer. But beneath the long weekend lies a deeper truth: work is not just something to be endured, it’s a gift from God.
The work we do to survive, with deadlines, repetition, and long hours, can drain our joy. God’s work invites us to thrive and offers us joy and peace. Labor Day reminds us to step back and reflect: Why do I work, and for whom?
The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3 (The Message): “So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Be alert to what is going on around Christ. See things from his perspective. Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life, is with Christ in God. He is your life … Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ.”
Paul’s words to the Colossians reorient us. Work is ultimately meant to be for God rather than for a paycheck. Whether paid or unpaid, seen or unseen, our labor is sacred when done in love and service. Your work is holy when offered to God, and your rest is holy when it draws you closer to him.
Prayer: Lord of Creation, thank you for the gift of work and for the skills you’ve placed in our hands. Forgive me when I forget that my labor is meant to honor you. On this Labor Day, teach me to rest as you rested, to work as you worked, and to live each moment for your glory. Amen.
