You have to be from another planet if you haven’t heard the expression, "Idle hands are the devil’s workshop". Indeed, it is so well known and accepted as truth that many people say it is literally Gospel - taken from the Bible. Maybe that’s why whenever you see a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, he has a grin on his face.

Though the quote may not be Biblical, the concept is. From the beginning (Gen.1: 1) we are told that God worked as He created the universe, and though it may have taken Him (only?) six days, it must have involved labor, for on the seventh day even He rested. Actually, He did more than that - He sanctified the seventh day as a day of rest, (Gen. 2: 2-3), establishing the idea that while work was Godly in nature, so was rest.

If you look in a concordance at the number of times the synonyms "work", "labor" and "travail" are used, the results would blow your mind. While much of man’s labor was made more difficult as a result of his disobedience to God, (Gen. 3: 17 - 19), work is generally referred to as pleasing to God. We are reminded that we are saved by grace and not by works of righteousness, (Eph. 2: 8 - 9 and Titus. 3: 5). God has always looked favorably on the (good) works of man. He even assures us that work, in His service, shall be rewarded, (1 Cor. 3: 13 - 14).

I never thought of work or labor in quite this way. There are times when my work made me tired, frustrated, angry, (shall I go on…?). Of course, working with adolescent children can sometimes affect one that way. We were often told to, "let it be a challenge to you " - (yeah, right!). It was challenging alright, but I am fortunate in that I managed 30 years without any noticeable twitches and a semblance of normality, (or so the kind people say).

You may have the type of job where you never know what will happen each day. While it may bring variety, it can sometimes throw you for a loop - and many a day I felt like I was in a loop. Not everyone wants a surprise each day, especially when they border on shockers. But it seems to me that God uses work to teach us lessons, for it is said that "tribulation worketh patience, (Rom. 5: 3), which tests your faith, (James 1: 3), and helps bring forth fruit from your labor, (Luke 8; 15).

There were days when it’s nice to feel like the produce section of Harris Teeter.

So on this Labor Day, we pray your labors glorify He who created you and that your labors be rewarded abundantly. And keep in mind, when the work gets tough, He is always there to take over your load, (Matt. 11: 28 - 30).

Come to Blake’s Chapel Advent Christian Church and worship the God who is willing and able to handle any challenge for you. It’s always good to know you have a church family who can help you get through those rough times. It’s even better to know that Christ guarantees His help!

Dan Ligotta