I have often found it ironic that we celebrate Labor Day by not working. The holiday was started by labor unions in 1882 to celebrate and draw attention to American workers. Back then, many were working 12 hours per day, 7 days a week, just to make a basic living. On that first Labor Day, more than 10,000 New York City workers took unpaid leave from their jobs to march through the streets in solidarity. What did they want? They wanted recognition for their contribution to building America.
Back then, workers often felt they were anonymous cogs in the wheel of the Industrial Revolution. Can you blame them for wanting the Robber Barons to acknowledge them? The wheels would not turn without the cogs. If you have worked for a boss that fails to show appreciation, you can certainly identify. Perhaps you have felt that God is that kind of boss. You keep doing good works, hoping that it is enough, that you have finally pleased God, without any indication he has noticed. Verses like Isaiah 64:6, which compare our good works to filthy rags, are no help at all. What will it take to please him?
The good news is that God is not a Robber Baron, building his kingdom on the backs of a workforce just trying to stay out of hell. What he wants you to know is that he does see you, but not because of what you have done. His love for you began before you did anything either good or bad. The Bible tells us that when he created humans, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was VERY GOOD.” (Genesis 1:31) God still sees you, and his opinion has not changed. Nothing you have ever done could make God love you less, and nothing you ever do could make him love you more. There is no need for a Spiritual Labor Day.
I was glad to read the explanation of Labor Day. Yes, we all want recognition and
work better when we receive it. Our acts of service DO NOT bring our salvation; however,
God is generous with blessings to us when we work as His fellow worker.
Bring on Labor Day and thank those who stoke the coals !!