Pastors Corner - Each in its time - Work hard and rest well

Labor Day weekend! Everybody loves a long weekend and the chance to spend an extra day doing whatever they enjoy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s website, the first Labor Day was celebrated nationally in September 1882. That means for 135 years our society has taken a day to honor our hard-working people with a day of much needed rest and recreation. The Bible gives instruction about balancing working hard and resting well.

The Bible is clear: we need to work hard. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (NIV)”

The first part tells us we need to work hard with all of our hearts. “Whatever you do” is a very inclusive statement. It could be managing your own business or working in a large corporation or attending school or running your household. Whatever your job, paid or unpaid, you should work with all of your heart. The more you love your work the easier it is to do it with your whole heart, but even when you find your tasks tedious we are told that we should be giving them our all. You cannot always choose your job but you can always control your attitude.

Some people can live out their dream do it it without any joy while others can be joyful in the most difficult of positions. The difference is the attitude. A selfish attitude always leaves you joyless while a selfless attitude leads you to be joyful. The key to a selfless attitude is knowing deciding that whatever you are doing you are doing it as an act of service to Jesus. When you work unto the Lord you can find more strength to serve other people, whether rude customer, an overbearing boss, or an annoying co-worker.

The Bible is also clear: we need to rest well. Mark 2:27 records Jesus saying, “27 Then he said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’ (NIV)” In this verse Jesus was defending the disciples who had gleaned a few heads of wheat on the day of rest. That was unacceptable to the legalistic leaders of that day. By explaining that the Sabbath was made for man, Jesus taught the importance of balance. We don’t live to rest; rather, we rest to live.

People tend to fall into two equally unhealthy categories when it comes to rest — they never want to take a break or they never want to work. Balance is important. When it is time to rest, do it intentionally in whatever form allows you to refuel. For some that is lazing around while for others it is being active. Being properly rested enables you to work hard in whatever you do.

So this Labor Day, enjoy a time of relaxation with the people you love but be ready to hit the ground running on Tuesday, you have work to do!

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Jamie Stoll

Associate Pastor

Havre Assembly of God