Each year on Labor Day, we pause to honor the dignity of work and the people whose efforts sustain our communities and families. It’s a day that reminds us of the value of labor—not only in building a livelihood, but in serving one another with the gifts God has entrusted to us.
Scripture affirms this truth. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Work is more than a daily task; it is a calling, an opportunity to reflect God’s creativity, love, and care for the world.
But alongside God’s call to labor, there is also His holy command to rest. From the very beginning, after six days of creation, God Himself paused: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested” (Genesis 2:2). This divine rhythm—work and rest—reminds us that our worth is not measured only by productivity. Our souls need renewal, space to breathe, and time to reconnect with the Source of all life.
At the Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center, we see this rhythm lived out every day. Guests often arrive carrying the weight of long hours, endless to-do lists, and the pressures of daily life. But as they step onto our peaceful grounds, they discover the balance God intended: a sacred space where labor gives way to rest, and where silence and prayer refresh weary hearts.
Labor Day offers us an invitation: to give thanks for the gift of meaningful work, to pray for those who labor tirelessly with little recognition, and to recommit ourselves to God’s balance of work and rest. It’s also a chance to remember that rest is not indulgence—it is holy. In the quiet, our souls are restored, preparing us to return to our labor with renewed strength and joy.
This Labor Day, may we find gratitude for the work of our hands, compassion for those whose burdens are heavy, and peace in the gift of rest. And may we always remember the words of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Reflection for Labor Day:
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Take time to thank God for your work and the ways He uses it to bless others.
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Pray for those who struggle with overwork, unemployment, or unjust conditions.
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Carve out a moment of Sabbath rest—perhaps in nature, prayer, or quiet—trusting that God delights in both your labor and your rest.