Peter J. McGuire was a carpenter in New York City. He was instrumental in establishing the first Labor Day, September 1882. All of America owes a debt to this man who through his efforts brings attention to the people who actually provide the prosperity for our country. This is the time that we recognize elbow grease and calloused hands. This is when we show appreciation to ourselves for all the effort we do throughout the year accomplishing the task for which we were hired.
It is not often that Jesus Christ has been recognized as a workingman for the first thirty years of his life. Even when he went into ministry, he was surrounded by twelve working men. The frail looking Jesus that is often been promoted is certainly an error. Jesus was a strong man with large biceps from the sawing of wood and the pounding of nails that was his career. Two quotes can be made about the work ethic of Jesus: “It is a great thing to do small things well.” And “In a labor of love every day is payday.”
Paul agreed with these thoughts when he said in 1 Corinthians 3:9, “for we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” For the Christian there is a new significance to the idea of labor when it comes to duty, devotion, sincerity whether daily chores or living out our service to God. For this reason, the church must make this declaration for those invited into its fellowship and those already members in particular.
With whom are we laborers? Stop to think about it! We are God’s co-laborers who is the majestic Almighty Lord of lords God. He is all wise, all-powerful, and everywhere present. Whatever we do, wherever we go, we are not alone as we do his bidding. With him we stand at the workbench of life as fellow workers. We did not originate this work and its complement that he expects us and depends on us solely to do the work.
What work are we to do? Ours is the responsibility to make converts for Christ. There are those who resent such an attempt toward conversion. However, we have been directly and particularly assigned by God himself to make every attempt to convert those who the world would keep as spiritual captives. We are to snap them from the fires.
It is our work to be done alone? NO! We are to work together to make the church strong. Our strength comes with health and exercise under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Our strength originates as an inward encouragement, not in ourselves, but by our Savior. As we work for God and with God, we are to participate clearly the exercise of worship as practical and livable in everyday life. Copying Jesus, we do this with patience, love, understanding, and sacrifice.
How can we do our work best? We are to be in step with Jesus as opposed to those who would voice their own complaints how Christianity is to operate. It is up to us to have a proper attitude toward life, work, and our fellow men. There may be times in which we are called upon to work overtime just so that God accomplishes his goals. We are to be a unity of workers not unlike a factory in which each person puts their parts together until we have a completed product. To do this we must copy our supervisor, Jesus, as our example and our overseer. When we take seriously that we are co-laborers with God, we can enjoy the reality mentioned in Isaiah 40:31 that says, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Christian Writer 