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Dear Church Family, We are approaching Labor Day, which for many is a welcome three-day weekend filled with barbeques and family and friends gathering. But many of us may not remember that Labor Day was created to be a time that is set aside to honor and remember the incredible contributions of American workers and the labor movement, which fought for fair working conditions. When we remember the reason why this day was created, we can focus on the wonderful dignity and value of hard work while juxtaposing the equally important need for rest and rejuvenation. As with all my reflections, I began to wonder what this could and should mean for us who call ourselves Christians; what additional value and meaning can we extract from a mindful thinking on this? Clearly, work, according to the Bible, is much more than just a way to make a living or exist to pay our bills. All work is considered vocation, and a calling to be a partner with God in God’s creation and world. In the Garden of Eden, God asks Adam to work and to take care of the garden. So, even in its most basic form and function, work is connected to God’s great creation and the stewardship of it all. And while work is essential to life, so is rest. Work has its value, but rest holds great value as well. The Ten Commandments tell us to remember the Sabbath and to keep it holy. So we see that God is teaching us through this commandment that just as work is valuable and important, so is the act of rest and a renewal of our spirits. Our relationship with rest directly reflects on our relationship with God just as work does. When we work, we are partners with God, no matter where our work lies. When we rest, we recognize that God comes to our spirits and works in them at this time as well. As with everything in life, we have to create a healthy balance between our work and leisure lives, and remember that God is found in both of them. So happy Labor Day, everyone! I hope you can have a day of rest and fun, but also a day of thankfulness for the gift of good hard work! With great love for you, Pastor Grace
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