Monday, September 6: Every day is Labor Day!

Today is Labor Day in the United States, a holiday that began in New York City in 1882 and began its national celebration in 1894, to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the labor organizations.” Those organizations served a definite purpose in our nation’s history, especially in regard to enacting child labor laws. In the 1950’s, labor unions were at their peak, while today, there are still 16.1 million Americans who are members. Most fall under the umbrella of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). Rather than representing the workers, those labor unions now have become more of an attempt at acquiring political power. While Labor Day continues, most celebrators have no interest in honoring those labor organizations, and instead, think of it as the end of summer.


As Christians, we are members of the only perfect labor union. We are united in Jesus Christ and as members of His body, are called to work for the kingdom of God, while He takes care of all of our needs. Whatever area of brokenness that the Lord pulled you out of will often become a ministry in your life. Yet God typically gives us time to walk with Him in strength before calling us back to the place that tripped us up. Why would the Lord send an alcoholic into a bar to witness to drunks, a week after walking away from alcohol? God is without limit, and consequently, so is His choice of potential workers. Typically, the compassionate love demonstrated by those who can see their own past in the sin of others speaks the loudest message.


After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.
Luke 10:1-4


It is interesting that the Lord sent them out in pairs. A fellow Christian is wonderful support when it comes to study, prayer and encouragement. Additionally, the Lord sent men without possessions or weapons. Certainly, they would be easy prey to those who wanted to rob them, but there was nothing to take! “Lambs among wolves” is a wonderful picture, as the ravenous wolves could tear the sheep into bits if it wasn’t for the Shepherd protecting the sheep. If God has called you into a ministry, walk in faith, wherever He has called you.

At times, God calls us into some dark and dreary places to speak His Word. Regardless of where we are, He is with us, and there is no reason to fear. Jesus is the Shepherd that protects His sheep in the midst of those wolves, and the Light that illuminates the darkness. Why do we question Him?


As we celebrate Labor Day, reflect on your ministry for the Lord. Are you feeding others, or just being fed? Remember, there are many jobs involved to grow a healthy plant. Someone plows or cultivates the land, plants the seed, waters it, keeps the weeds from choking the plant, and is there for the harvest. Our Lord has workers all along that process, and each are just as important. What job do you have on God’s farm?


34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
John 4:34-36


5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
1 Corinthians 3:5-8