Daily Devotional

Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894. What is now viewed as the unofficial end of summer was originally meant to provide a small break in the average worker's life. 1894 was a vastly different world than we live in today. As the Industrial Revolution took hold the normal rhythm of life changed dramatically. Most workers found themselves working 7 days a week for 12 hours a day. A day to truly cease from laboring would have been greatly welcomed by all workers.

Today, the work week looks different than it did in 1894 but people today are still heavy-laden. There’s a relentless pull in so many different directions. People are tired, exhausted, and burned out. Why? In many ways, we’ve forgotten how to rest.

In a world of constant comparison, opportunities, and pressure to do more and be more we can feel constantly burdened. Jesus’ call to us today is the same as it was 2,000 years ago “Come to me…and I will give you rest.” No, he won’t make our jobs go away, or our responsibilities, or the culture around us, but in the midst of all these things He offers us rest.
In our 21st-century, Western culture we often equate rest with laziness, but that’s not the view of God. Jesus offers us rest because it is a good thing. God Himself rested after creation, not because He needed to but because He wanted to. Life cannot be just rest, but neither should it just be labor.

Whether you have this Labor Day off or not, find a chance to slow down and rest. That doesn’t mean doing nothing (unless you want to) but it means doing things that fill you up rather than deplete you. Maybe you like to draw, cook, read, garden, spend time with others, or spend time in solitude. Find some time to delight in your God and the life He has given to you. However long or however small, intentionally try to carve out some time to cease from labor and rest.

English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.