Laboring

This week we celebrated Labor Day. Hattie Jo, my four year old daughter, and I went to WV to eat WV dogs and spend time with my family. If you have never seen a WV dog, just imagine chili, slaw, and an all beef hotdog and you have it pretty close. The day itself, “the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”* It is amazing how we take one day a year to celebrate labor of an entire year.

Laboring is an exhausting yet rewarding work. That is why it used for childbirth. The process is hard, difficult, tiring, but ends in a beautiful, miraculous reward. Paul addresses the Corinthians due to their labor. He reminds them that their physical bodies will wear away and pass, but their spiritual bodies will live on. Thus the spiritual work/labor that we do is not in vain, but instead it is for the Kingdom. The reward is eternal.

So as you go about this week, labor for the Lord, knowing that your work is not wasted, instead it is an investment in God’s eternal Kingdom.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1st Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

* dol.gov