 |
| “For all those who have labored diligently from time beginning till present time, thank you for your commitment to excellence. You are a treasure to the human race.” – F. Lugo |
Labor Day probably means many things to many people depending on their background, position, experience or preference of activity.
For myself, I can’t say I’m one for studying history all the time, but I do enjoy a history lesson from time-to-time. I believe that any lesson from our history as a nation; furthermore as a human race worldwide, will teach us, the ability to value how we are certainly blessed and to be grateful for those who have given their life, labored, pioneered and paved the way before for us, to understand that their service, commitment, blood, sweat and tears have made a way for us to do it safer, more efficiently, more productively and above all... with a great sense of gratitude.
I have experienced Labor Day as a day off from work. As a day where you get paid “time and a half.” As a day where beach going, boating and barbecues are all the norm.
Although all of the above has been great and not so great experiences to me, I believe there is a body of people who would look to Labor Day as a day where they are proud of their past, their present and their future to come.
Without labor many things would not exist today. Without labor, we wouldn’t know the amazing feeling of an “honest days pay.” I have had my share of labor resulting in blood, sweat and tears, and I’m not saying working without strenuous labor isn’t rewarding, but there’s something about doing things with our hands that shouts out accomplishment.
Just now, the Holy Spirit brought to my recollection a verse that speaks to the accomplishing work of hands, and it’s found in the Book of John, where Jesus shows He is willing to work. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:19 NIV)
There’s all sorts of laboring work going on nowadays. Much of it is synonymous with sweating, or “backbreaking work,” but there’s other labor, that requires a great deal of use from the other members of our bodies aside from hands and feet. Brain power, eye stimulation, ear stimulation— The power of the voice.
Many people may disagree that anything other than manual labor (resulting from sweat) done with hands is not work, but as someone who has worked many years of strenuous labor with his hands, I disagree. In my experience, someone’s voice can cause other human beings to find hope from their dismal circumstances. Eye contact can bring revival to someone’s inability to connect with others. Being taught something that your brain can take in and utilize to your potential growth can give someone who sees themselves as “dumb, stupid or slow” a way in, to a life they thought was off limits to them. And last but not least, using hands to embrace another human being (although not synonymous with sweating) can make someone feel loved that otherwise has never felt loved.
When it comes to hard labor there’s one thing we should all come into agreement with and be constantly reminded of in order to have success. In all areas of labor, let us ‘Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize us...’ (Philippians 2:14, 15 NLT)
From children, parents, laborers to the CEO’s and owners of today’s companies and businesses, doing work successfully goes beyond recognition, respect, monetary compensation and accolades from your peers. It should be work not to please men, but passionate work from the heart, servicing others, doing it for the Lord and not men. As any good work we do, we will receive the same from the Lord, whether as a child all the way to top executives and owners. Doing such labor from all positions; titles we hold in all seasons of our lives, remains accountable before God. Amen.
*The above paragraph was inspired by the verses in scripture in: (Ephesians 6:1-9)
I’m once again reminded by the Holy Spirit of a verse that is thought provoking and hopefully will lead us all to actively work diligently at whatever we are created and called to do:
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1 NIV)
Allowing God to be our Foundation, Provider and Protector results in SUCCESS!
“Lord, thank You for being the laborer who has intricately woven the lines of all existence into a mesh for Your glory. You forever amaze the hearts and minds of the human race. All praise be to You forever! Amen.” – F. Lugo
Beloved, as always... YOU ARE LOVED
No comments:
Post a Comment