Another Labor Day. Another day to gratefully acknowledge all who have and are working for the “common good” of all persons in our nation and world. Another chance to review and ask ourselves for what and for whom am I working. Is my working all about me or about God?
The Labor Day holiday is also a good time to be reminded that God created you and me primarily for fellowship with himself, and secondly, he tasked us to be the loving caregivers of all his created works. From the beginning of this earth, God intended to sustain and continue his creative working in this world through you and me. This truth alone should encourage and motivate us to busy ourselves with God’s business. But what can we correctly say is God’s business?
In Isaiah 40:3-5 we hear God calling us to invest and engage ourselves in his grand excavation project of lowering mountains, raising valleys, and making rough places level, building a glorious highway toward a new earth and heaven.
Every Sunday for many generations, the Lord’s Prayer has been repeated by millions of Christians around the world. And in that prayer, we petition God to energize us in making his name holy and in doing his will on earth as it is in heaven. So, what is his will and how will it be done?
In Luke 4:16-21, we read that Jesus returned to his hometown, Nazareth, and on the first Sabbath, went to the synagogue where he read Isaiah’s prophetic listing of the Messiah’s work credentials. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
After reading the text, Jesus surprisingly claimed these credentials as his own work (mission) credentials. And later, he listed these same work credentials to the disciples of John the Baptist when they asked, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:18-23).
It is important to note that these credentials are all about responding to the social needs of others. The welfare of the weak and powerless, the sick and helpless, the poor and the hungry, the abused and the abuser, the stranger and immigrant, of all races and creeds. This is God’s transforming, redemptive work in the world. This has always been God’s business.
As a Christian, rooted in Anabaptist theology and understanding of Scripture, I believe all of scripture would declare that God’s intention for us disciples of Jesus, is to daily emulate the life and work of Jesus. I believe that “God is at work” where social concerns and human needs are responded to with authentic Jesus-like acts of compassionate love and practical, material generosity. This is God’s business.
I believe “serving others” is what identifies us as disciples of Jesus Christ. I believe Christian faith is more than worship and verbal commitment to the Lordship of Jesus on a Sunday morning. It is also the live performanceof that worship and commitment in every conversation and activity of life Monday through Saturday. It is “walking the talk” of Jesus’ lordship and love in our worship, work and every relational encounter. Thus, Jesus’ work credentials are intended to be the authentic work credentials for all God’s people living today.
Or, as Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” And in verses 44-45, we hear this “good deeds” also includes our response toward our enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
For this Labor Day week, we do well to review our work priorities and behaviors. How energetic and vigorous has been my commitment to laboring in God’s business of loving and caring for the world through me? How sincere have I been in praying “Our Father in heaven, … your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”? For whom do I labor? Is my “going to work” all about me or about God.
In doing so, be encouraged by Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” AMEN!
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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – September 8, 2021
Ray M. Geigley
Healing Rays of Righteousness 
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