Rest From Your Labor

It’s the first Monday in September, and in the United States, it means we are celebrating Labor Day. Labor Day means different things to different people. It’s the unofficial end of the summer and in another day or two every child in this country will be back to school. The season has begun to change unfortunately, the evenings are now cooler and it’s beginning to get dark earlier. Labor day celebrates the contribution and accomplishments of the American worker. When you work, there is always a reward. Most, if not all of us, work for a paycheck to pay for the lifestyle we love. We love having a roof over our heads, clothes to wear and food to eat. So we labor to pay for those things.

At times we work hard and become so tired that we need help. However, our labor involves more than our nine to five. It involves everything we do and the way we do it. Our labor in the workplace pays with money and benefits. But what about the way we live our life? The manner in which we live pays. Romans 6:23 AMP tells us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” That tells us that God is paying attention to the way we live our lives; if we live a life of sin then we will be rewarded with death.

It also gives us the other side; God’s free gift. God was not willing to watch humanity die in sin so He provided an alternative; He provided eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus is in the business of giving rest. He went on to say, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.” (verse 29) You don’t have to carry your burden alone, take advantage of His offer and take His yoke. It will relieve your burden and you would experience His salvation.