Celebrating Work
Happy Labor Day, everyone! This is a day set apart to reflect on the work of our hands, to rest from our daily toil and labor, and to celebrate the way God has blessed our work. Of course, work is typically something we dread, not something we celebrate! But if we look to Scripture to see what God has to say about work, we might just find more reasons to celebrate than ever before.
Work = Worship
In Genesis 1 God tells Adam to till the garden and describes this task with the Hebrew word avad. Throughout the Old Testament, this word is used to describe both work and worship (such as offering sacrifice at the temple or serving the LORD). To the ancient Hebrew mind, there was no separation between daily work and worship. We need to realize that we glorify and honor God by completing our daily tasks with excellence, and that we ought to pour the same level of care and energy into worship on Sunday that we pour into work on Monday morning.
Joining the Work
In the New Testament, the Greek word ergon is used to describe work 176 times, and in nearly every instance it is used in the context of sharing the Gospel with a lost world. The New Testament reveals that every believer is called to join the work of redeeming the world, that we ought to do this with excellence, and that we will one day be judged according to how well we’ve accomplished this all-important work.
Labor Day Reflection
As you celebrate and rest this Labor Day, take a second to ask yourself these questions:
1. Do I work in a way that glorifies the LORD?
2. Have I joined God in the work of redeeming a lost world?
May God bless each of you and the work He has given you to do!
The Artistic Christian 
Another excellent post! I had to share this with my husband. He often tells our five teens about a conversation he had with his father when he was about 15 or 16. They were driving along in a car when my husband’s dad suddenly looked over to him and said, “You know, son … there is quickly coming a day when you will work more than you play.” My husband said at the time he was both startled and frightened by that statement. But now he recognizes that God made humans to work, and through our work (doing a job well and as unto the Lord) is a way we both honor and worship our King. Of course, who doesn’t love a day off .. which is another reason to be thankful for our government’s annual Labor Day and for our God’s perfect idea of a weekly day of rest. 😀
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Such wise advice from your husband’s father! Thanks for sharing!
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