Happy Labor Day! This is a day when we honor work and the achievements, as well as the costs, of advancements in working conditions and workers’ rights during the Industrial Revolution in the United States and Canada. Today, let’s also examine labor in the broader sense and from the perspective of faith.

We all know what it is like to labor – to toil, agonize, or struggle to accomplish a goal. We labor at a job, so we can have the finances to provide for our families. When we spend time and energy for the benefit of someone else, we call it a labor of love. When a woman is about to give birth, she is said to be in labor.

But have you ever thought about what it means to labor in faith?

The Apostle Paul encouraged the believers to “work out your own salvation” (Philippians 2:12 CSB). In other words, we are to labor in demonstrating outwardly our inner faith in the atoning power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. From prison, Paul wrote this letter, laboring to teach and build up the body of believers in faith.

Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds a house, its builders labor over it in vain” (CSB). This verse cautions that whatever we labor at should be in partnership with God, or it is futile. Colossians 3:23 also says, “Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people” (CSB). As we work to build our lives, our homes, our legacy, we must remember to partner with the Lord – to seek His will and endeavor to do it His way – and to put our hearts into our work, rendering the service first unto God.

Jesus labored in anguish to do the will of the Father (Luke 22:39-46). His was a labor of love for the Father and for us. He willingly laid His life down and took it back up again in obedience to God’s grand plan (John 10:17). Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus endured the cross for the joy that lay before Him, the joy of sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God. Even in His anguish, Jesus could see beyond his temporary, albeit painful, circumstances to the blessings that lay beyond. And as we faithfully labor, that same joy – the joy of the Lord – is what gives us strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Jesus has a heart for those who labor. In fact, He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Isn’t that a beautiful juxtaposition? As we labor and carry heavy loads in this life, He will give us rest. Notice that He didn’t say He could or might or may give you rest. He said He will give you rest for your soul. He goes on to tell us how to tap into this rest. Jesus said, “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). When we yoke ourselves to Him, He carries the bulk of the burden for us. He will hear your prayers and answer them according to what is best. He will turn what others mean for evil into that which is truly good. He will help you carry the load, and He will refresh you through His word, prayer, and spending time with Him in worship.

Living out our faith is often not easy. Jesus said in this world we will have troubles but amidst the troubles we can have peace and find courage through our faith in Him, the One who conquered the world (John 16:33). In fact, Scripture warns us that our faith must be tested to prove it is as pure as gold, and that tests usually come in the form of trials and hardships (1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2; 1 Peter 4:12-13). It takes effort to be faithful to the word of God, especially when we don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 1:22-25). It takes effort to follow Jesus in the way of forgiveness (Matthew 18:33-35). It takes effort to love when you are being persecuted and slandered (Matthew 5:44). It takes laboring in faith to trust that God will work all your trials and hardships out for your ultimate good (Romans 8:28). It takes faith to respond in Christ-honoring ways when the world, and possibly your flesh, want to exact vengeance rather than trusting to God to avenge as He sees fit (Romans 12:19).

Something beautiful happens when we yoke ourselves to Jesus, trust Him to help us carry the burden, and look beyond our present circumstances to the joy that lies just beyond. Our joy will be complete when, at the end of our faith-fueled labor here on earth, we hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21 CSB)

Friend, as this Labor Day holiday comes to a close and you prepare to return to your more routine labors tomorrow, take time to think about how you will also labor in faith.

Let us labor to put our best faith forward!