Our modern culture today often values extremes when it comes to work and leisure. However, God has given both as gifts that are to be appreciated in relation to one another.
Specifically, God has given us work as a means to express our human dignity. Work was established in the garden with Adam and Eve. “The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15).
Along with work, God also gave us rest. “On the seventh day God completed the work he had been doing; he rested on the seventh day from all the work he had undertaken” (Genesis 2:2). Just as God rested, we should also spend time recharging and admiring all that God has made.
On this Labor Day, may we remember that work is an important part of God’s design. No matter the type of job or vocation, all work has dignity. We also pray for those are unable to work and provide the basic necessities of life.
We take time today to reflect on God’s gift of creation and the gift of work and rest in our lives.
