Growing up, Labor Day was a work day. It was the day we closed up Camp. Before we left on Monday, the dock, float and boat had to be pulled up the beach and secured for the spring high water. I remember in the early years all the neighbors worked together to accomplish the task. Some would start early Monday morning and when they finished they would move next door working their way down the lake. Often they would end at our camp with a late lunch. As a child Labor Day meant that Summer was over and we went back to school.
Holidays are funny. We use them to celebrate with family and friends, but often do not even think about their origin or reason for being established. But I have noticed over the years how our National Holidays sometimes mimic Church Holiday’s. Memorial day mimics All Saints Day, and Independence Day, Passover.
It occurred to me that Labor Day today has a day of rest theme similar to the Sabbath. I googled it and found that Labor Day was actually founded as a day to promote and establish standards for granting laborers rest. What strikes me, is that in the midst of our freedom of religion put forth in the founding principles of our nation, there still was and is the need to observe these Holy Days.
As our nation becomes more and more pluralistic and secular one thing remains. We have basic needs. We can assert ones right to reject religion, but the reality is we that we still need Jesus.
I need Thee. O, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.
My one defense, my righteousness. O, Lord how I need Thee.
All too often, we forget this. Maybe it is not that we have completely forgotten that we need Christ, but that we think somehow we can acquire some of what we need on our own. Most of the time we still believe God helps those who help themselves. So in the wake of this Labor Day, we remember it is the work of Jesus that gives us rest. It is our security in Him that we celebrate.
Pastor Mark
Holidays are funny. We use them to celebrate with family and friends, but often do not even think about their origin or reason for being established. But I have noticed over the years how our National Holidays sometimes mimic Church Holiday’s. Memorial day mimics All Saints Day, and Independence Day, Passover.
It occurred to me that Labor Day today has a day of rest theme similar to the Sabbath. I googled it and found that Labor Day was actually founded as a day to promote and establish standards for granting laborers rest. What strikes me, is that in the midst of our freedom of religion put forth in the founding principles of our nation, there still was and is the need to observe these Holy Days.
As our nation becomes more and more pluralistic and secular one thing remains. We have basic needs. We can assert ones right to reject religion, but the reality is we that we still need Jesus.
I need Thee. O, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee.
My one defense, my righteousness. O, Lord how I need Thee.
All too often, we forget this. Maybe it is not that we have completely forgotten that we need Christ, but that we think somehow we can acquire some of what we need on our own. Most of the time we still believe God helps those who help themselves. So in the wake of this Labor Day, we remember it is the work of Jesus that gives us rest. It is our security in Him that we celebrate.
Pastor Mark
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