Happy Labor Day: A Reminder to Rest

01 Sep Happy Labor Day: A Reminder to Rest

Happy Labor Day: A Reminder to Rest

This day is set aside to celebrate the typical everyday worker in the USA. Its roots are from fights against the seven-day work week and limited to no benefits. The holiday reminds you that you can spend the long weekend relaxing any way you want. This rest from your labor is not an idea that came from the labor union movement, but one that has always been in the heart of God for his people. “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates” Exodus 20:9-11

We are not machines, nor are we the Energizer Bunny. 

Seven hours of sleep is the rule for a good night’s rest.  We know that that varies depending on your profession. It could be more if your occupation requires more. Either way, you need to go to sleep. Did you know your body does critical maintenance while you’re sleeping? Rest up, people, and get a routine in place and practice it.  Hebrews 4:9–11 “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

Rest Your Mind too.

I have found that whenever we’re in a place of distress, concerns, deadlines looming, or uncertainty of a pending outcome of something, our physical and mental rest seems to go out the window. But that’s not what God says or wants for us. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30. So, whatever your mind is working on, laboring at, let it go because if you could’ve solved it, it would be solved by now. Give it to Jesus. He knows how to work things out and get some rest.

Prepare for times of rest and refreshing 

Don’t fall into the trap of doing extra chores every off day or the retail trap of coming out and getting the sales that may or may not exist, or the thought that if I don’t do it now, it’ll have to wait till the next time I’m off, which will be God knows when. Plan your times of rest spiritually and physically. Go to that Bible conference and take in the impartation from the Lord. I experienced many breakthroughs during a vacation where we including a spiritual meeting. My call into the ministry came in a hotel room in California at a Believer’s Conference. Plan a dream vacation for you and your family far away or just take them to the nearest hotel and hang out. Plan it and do it. Proverbs 16:3 Christian Standard Bible says, “Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”  Just rest, try it.

Happy Labor Day!

Theresa Woodard