The Christian Labor Day

The Christian Labor Day

 

1Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

In 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working man". Twelve years later what emerged from this effort is what is known as Labor Day in the United States. Symbolically, Labor Day marks the end of the summer season. Renowned children's author Bill Dodds once quipped:

 

"Labor Day is a glorious holiday because your child will be going back to school the next day.  It would have been called Independence Day, but that name was already taken."

 

All kidding aside, there is labor on earth and labor for the kingdom of God. While the world may stop for one day out of each year to "rest"; we see a different imperative from God about our labor for Him. There are several truths to take from this one verse.

 

When it comes to our work for God, the first truth is that we must stand firm. Our faith must be firmly rooted in what we believe. The prophet Isaiah teaches us:

 

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3

 

The dictionary defines steadfast as: " firm in purpose, resolution, faith, attachment" and that is how we need to approach our work for the Lord. We need to be attached to our faith to stand firm. Our mind needs to be resolved. Why? Because we trust God! It is that trust that leads us to the second truth from this verse; and that is that we must let nothing move us in our work.