It’s Time to Get to Work

It’s Time to Get to Work

 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”

Colossians 3:23 NIV

Two days ago was Labor Day, our national celebration of the American worker. Did you work on Labor Day? When I was a kid, my Dad used Labor Day to catch up on mowing, maintenance around the house, and taking a nap. He worked super hard all year long, including on Labor Day.

Most of us can’t remember the struggles of the American worker during the late 1800s when working conditions were deplorable and wages were miniscule. The average worker faced long hours and poor conditions. My grandsons might gripe about doing their chores today but even children in the late 19^th century worked long hours in dingy factories to help their families make ends meet. After the railroad strike of 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill making Labor Day a national holiday to recognize organized labor’s efforts to achieve a higher standard of safety and provision for the average worker.

One day, a grandfather was telling his grandkids about his coming to America. He told of the trains and ship that he took from his home in Eastern Europe. He told them about being processed at Ellis Island and how he had gone to a cafeteria in lower Manhattan to get something to eat. There he sat down at an empty table and waited for quite some time for someone to take his order. But no one came. Finally, a woman carrying a tray full of food sat down opposite him and explained to the man how the cafeteria worked.

She said, “You start at that end” . . . pointing to a stack of trays . . . “and then go along the food line, picking out the food you want. At the other end, the cashier will tell you how much you have to pay for the food you’ve chosen.”

The grandfather paused to reflect for a moment and then said, “I soon learned that’s how everything works in America. Life’s a cafeteria here. You can get anything you want . . . even very great success . . . if you’re willing to pay the price. But you’ll never get what you want if you wait for someone to bring it to you. You have to get up and get it yourself.”

My friend, the difference between where you are now and where you may want to be . . . whether you just began a new school year or started back to work after Labor Day . . . can be summed up in one word: WORK. Isn’t that true of our spiritual growth, too? While we depend on the Lord to help us through this life, He asks that we partner with Him and apply ourselves to the task to which He’s called us. Climbing the ladder of success at school or work, or in our Christian life, requires that we work at it with all our hearts!

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  Because Pastor Dale and Pamela will be away on vacation from September 3 until September 20, you’re encouraged to still attend and support your church family at the Mt. Laurel Church of God when Pastor Dustin white will be filling the pulpit. To prepare for Sunday, September 21^st, you might want to consider reading 1 Timothy 1:12-17 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale on Sunday, September 21.

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.