John 9:4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.
I recently held Public Speaking classes for a company that actively promotes the trades. Listening to the speeches these tradesmen gave reinforced my appreciation for the people who frame our houses, wire our electric, and plumb our pipes. I have to say, that experience makes this year’s observation of Labor Day more meaningful.
Work is a God idea.
Genesis details his work in creating the universe and everything in it. As his image-bearers, he calls us to reflect his image through our labor. Of course, work can be tedious, and some occupations can be downright grueling. Not every job displays the “pursuit of our passion.” But I believe nothing brings quite the satisfaction that “a job well done” provides, no matter what it is. When it comes to making a living, C.S. Lewis writes how relieved he was when he realized Christianity, “in spite of its revolutionary and apocalyptic elements, can be delightfully humdrum.” I enjoy my job as a college professor, but I don’t like all the “humdrum” technology I need to learn in order to accomplish the goal.
Work is a God idea, even the yucky parts.
Jesus warns us to work “while it is day.” And I believe that means as long as we have breath. God will always grant us the privilege of work in one form or another. Oh, our assignments change over the years, but our call as his disciples never does. We never know when we might be engaging in the most important work of our life. Sometimes the most significant job we have, is to believe in Jesus (John 6:29). An assignment, I confess, I want to grow in with greater effectiveness.
So this Labor Day, we might say goodbye to beach trips, vacations spots and patio picnics. And welcome another semester of school, a new NFL season and the arrival of pumpkin spice lattes. But most of all, I pray you and I lean into a deeper understanding of the work God gives us in this season of life.
Friend, keep doing what you can while you can. Because…work is a God idea.