Sermonette: Work is well documented throughout the Bible

'Hi-Ho–Hi-Ho,' it's off to work we go. With September comes Labor Day, a day on our national calendar when we celebrate the work of men and women. Fittingly it is a day of rest. For many, Labor Day is a holiday. Labor Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on work and rest, action and contemplation. In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes that they should work with their own hands to labor. Christianity does not dismiss us from the work and duties assigned to us. It teaches us to be diligent in what we do. The divine character of work is expressed in the saying, 'to work is to pray.' As you read this, I want you to stop for a moment and look at your hands. What have your hands been doing this summer? Digging in the dirt? Planting flowers, pulling weeds, working diligently or have you found the time to read – turning the pages of your Bible, or perhaps reeling in that big fish? Perhaps your work has been difficult, demanding. Today is the day that we honor the hands of all who labor and we celebrate the opportunity to rest those hands. Work is well documented throughout the Bible. Work was God's plan throughout scripture. The creation story tells us on the seventh day God ended His work and He rested from his labors. God created us in His image and gave us work to do. When Jesus was born, His birth was first told to working shepherds. (Luke 2:8). Jesus by trade was a carpenter, Jesus chose working men as His disciples – Fishermen, a Tax Collector. Other disciples jobs were not specifically mentioned, but we know Judas was chosen as their treasurer and Simon the Zealot was a soldier of sorts. Jesus had work for them to do, to spread the Good News, to become Fishers of Men, and to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we were baptized, we all were given a job – we became 'Children of God' joining Christ's ministry of love, peace, and justice. Labor Day was instituted to call attention to the strength and unity of the organized labor movement from which labor unions arose. We too, as Christians, are members of a 'Divine Union' — one that does not guarantee wages, offer paid vacations, or other worker benefits. We have something so much better, as we have a Divine Union that promises 'Eternal Life.' Colossians 3:23 says, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord – not for human masters.' Enjoy the Labor Day weekend. Reflect on your own work as a prayer to God. Seek a balance between active work and passive rest, and let us make our work a 'Labor of Love.' 'With God's help, May That Be So.' Amen.