What’s So Important About Labor Day Weekend?

The first Monday of September means that summer clothes are headed out, sales are in, holidays are over for a while and classes begin. It means one more chance to BBQ, a day off, a last weekend away for fun and relaxation. Americans have celebrated Labor Day weekend since 1882. From picnics and parades, to fireworks and friends, thousands of people every year take time to relax and recreate.

But what is Labor Day about anyway?  Great question.

It’s a day set aside to honor the working men, women and children who were the industrial foundation of America. Through the efforts of the Central Labor Union, and other trade unions throughout the states, the labor movement successfully established regulations that governed the working world, such as eight-hour days, two-day weekends, minimum wage and the abolishment of child labor. This movement eventually introduced an annual 'day off' for the working man, a day to pay tribute to those who contributed to the social and economic success of the nation. But the concept of an official day off of work began long before Congress voted it into existence.

For the Christian, a day of rest goes back to Creation: "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work." (Genesis 2:2, 3) This day of rest was of such importance to God, that He established it as part of His law: "Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant -- for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed." (Exodus 31:15-17)

God created the heavens and the earth, birds of the air and beasts of the field. Every living thing seen today originally was created by God. But the scriptures teach that God does not sleep nor does He need rest, yet He chose to set aside a day to rest from His work. He did so as an example for all of mankind to follow. This day of rest is meant to be a time of refreshing, of looking over the week’s accomplishments and either enjoying the results or seeking ways for improvement. But it was also time to allow God to prepare us for what is coming in the next week. God, upon His day of rest, looked over everything He created and said it was good. His work was complete. Unfortunately, this is not the case for most of us today. There will always be more work to finish. But the concept of assessment and refreshment is still valid.

So many times we tend to see work as both a curse and a blessing: The mandate to toil the earth came with our expulsion from the Garden of Eden; but it also represents a high and noble calling of stewardship over God’s good creation.

So, here’s my encouragement to you:  Relax while you can.  Sleep in a bit even this Sunday, because there is ONLY ONE FAMILY SERVICE AT 10:30 A.M.  The coffee will be waiting for you upon your arrival, and so will an unforgettable time of worship as well as a great time in the Book of James.  This is one of those great times to invite a friend.  I can’t wait to see you!  Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Loving You and Him,

Pastor D