To Work or Not to Work?
Sometimes certain holidays go by and we don’t even consider the reason for the day. Labor Day is one of those for me. Sunday after church, I enjoyed having some of the local crew over for a cookout and swimming fun.
On Monday, since the adults had the day off from work, we went to Water Country and had a last summer blast before the older kids headed back to school. Spending time with family is one of the greatest joys of my life.
As I pondered the weekend, I thought about what Labor Day actually means. What do we celebrate on this particular holiday? I did some research to get the scoop.
Labor Day, 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.
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday. (Source: US Department of Labor)
Work is a blessing. We gain purpose, meaning, and fulfillment from our work, and our jobs provide the needed resources to care for our families and pay our bills.
“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” Proverbs 12:11
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Proverbs 14:23
Hard work is not just for men. Consider the “Proverbs 31 Woman.”
“She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:13 & 17
I’ve had a variety of jobs over the years. My very first position was at a Home Health Agency my senior year of high school doing clerical tasks. Upon graduation, I worked as a bookkeeper at a bank. I’ve been employed as a restaurant hostess, cashier, data entry clerk, preschool music teacher, and various administrative positions. Most recently, writing a novel is my new career and one I enjoy more than any other I’ve done, even though I’ve not made a dime yet.
And the characters in my novel work. Amanda Wright is an event planner and volunteers as a court-appointed special advocate. Clayton Richards is a psychologist and also manages a homeless shelter with his parents. A resident at the shelter secures a position as a custodian at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel.
Some may think labor came because of the fall of Adam and Eve and the subsequent curse. Not true. From the beginning of time, God planned for us to work.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15
God Himself even worked.
“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.” Genesis 2:2
According to God’s Word, laziness brings poverty and hardship.
“Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Proverbs 10:4
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” Proverbs 12:24
As you can see, work is good and leads to fulfillment as we live out the purpose God has planned for each of us. So, when Labor Day rolls around again, let’s remember what a blessing work is, and thank God for all those in history who worked hard to build our nation and make America the greatest country on earth.
Join the conversation. What jobs have you had in the past? What position has been your favorite? How has God blessed your work over the years? Did you know why we celebrate Labor Day?
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
5 Comments
Lynn Moore
As a teen….babysitter was my thing, out of high school….file clerk for a bank…..then for awhile, full time homemaker. Then I turned those babysitting days into a home day care business. From there, direct marketing with Princess House Crystal where I held home parties and managed and trained a group of 60. Then…. I used the People skills I developed through all these various jobs and parlayed that into a 15 year career as a Realtor. And lastly….I had my own Tea shop for a few years….which was so enjoyable that I never thought of it as work! These days….I start most days by asking, “So Lord….what are we gonna do today?” And take it from there…..
Sharon K Connell
Yes, I was aware of the meaning and purpose for the Labor Day holiday. My husband feels it a sad thing that the labor unions are all gone. Yes, some were corrupt (not unlike government), but others were a blessing to those who joined.
The positions I’ve held over the years were mainly secretarial and management. Many were in the clinical setting. My favorite of all the jobs I’ve held was in advertising. It’s something I can still do in order to market my books.
This Labor Day, Arnie flew our flag, and we relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful day. Praise God that I now am working for myself to honor my Lord in my writing. I love being an author, telling stories, and having people tell me they read my books and enjoyed them. What more can you ask for? Whether you can support yourself on an income from your writing, or not, it’s the best job in the world. Keep writing, Deena. Love your story.
Deena Adams
Hi Sharon. Thanks for your comments. What a blessing to make a living doing what you love. I love writing and I don’t care about making money from it. I just want to get the stories out there and impact God’s kingdom through them. Thanks for your encouragement to keep writing. I appreciate it! You keep on, too!
Tom White
I’ve washed dishes and bussed tables. Stocked shelves, cleaned bathrooms and delivered newspapers. I played lifeguard for a summer at the beach (which sounds cooler than it really was) and co-owned an ice cream/yogurt shop for a short time.
But mostly, I’ve been a part of the media business, as a reporter, copy editor and editor. 38 years devoted to that labor, which ended with a buyout in January.
Now? I’m still trying to keep eyes open to possible next steps as a 60-year-old. Looking for something (full-time, part-time or even volunteer) that seems to have my name on it.
I think the biblical call to “labor” isn’t so much a call to have a job till you keel over at 85. Rather, it’s a call to contribute throughout your life in whatever capacity in which you are called. We should want to be positive and productive, and labor produces a sense of satisfaction toward that end.
Deena Adams
Hi Tom. Thanks for joining the conversation! You’ve held some interesting positions! Co-owner of an ice cream shop? Cool…literally. And I agree with your thoughts on biblical labor. Contributing to society through our calling in a positive and productive manner truly does bring satisfaction. Blessings to you as you seek God’s next step in your life.