Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. The majority of countries celebrate Labour Day on May 1, and it is popularly known as May Day and International Workers' Day, while some celebrate on the first Monday of September. The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. (From Wikipedia.)
I find it very interesting that we still recognize Labour Day in Canada. There was a time when, in different countries, people were required to work 12 hours or more, which brought them to organize an "Eight-hour day movement." These folk fought to make it legal to only have 40-hour workweeks, better working conditions and health care by the early and mid 1900s. But today we see a number of fields of employment having to work 12-hour shifts again, and we don't seem to be able to get sufficient medical help for many. Families certainly don't have eight hours to go around for recreation as well as rest.
Some people are working two jobs to meet the expenses of every day living and recreational activities. We see both parents working and still it can be difficult to meet the payments of loans for our homes and toys. Then we start to worry about how we're going to handle things. There are repossessions of homes and vehicles, etc. Worry sets in as we wonder how we can feed and clothe the family. The burdens are heavy as we struggle along.
Jesus wants us to trust Him with our burdens and those things that weigh on us. He invites us to 'come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' he says - Matthew 11:28. I don't understand how it works, but because the Lord is all-powerful, "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" - Romans 8:28.
Notice that in Matthew 11:28, Jesus didn't say he would remove all our problems in order to have this rest for our lives. He doesn't promise us a rose garden. Rather He provides peace and rest to those who trust Him. It's the worry that can make us sick and even destroy our lives.
He wants for us to be at peace and not worry about the necessities of life. Jesus says that the lilies of the field that He made are dressed beautifully. He takes care of them. The birds that He made are fed what they need to survive. He takes care of them. He knows when something happens to them. So why wouldn't the Lord care about what happens to us? He made us. Even when we were in our mother's womb, he knew us, as the Psalmist found out and wrote - "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" - Psalm 139:13, 14.
If the Lord cares about His creation, then surely He cares for us. All we have to do is talk to Him and share with Him what's on our minds, ask Him to provide and trust Him. He wants us to trust Him for the things that we need. He promises to provide. And like I said before, I don't understand how it works, but it does. Just trusting Him and resting in Him brings such a wonderful peace to my life. My prayer is that everyone find this peace in their lives to replace the stress and worry of life.Photo Filename:
