Today’s holiday has always held a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, after much thought and prayer, the holiday has not held a special place for any good reasons. As I have understood it, the “Labor Day” weekend was to celebrate and honor those that “labor” for their income. Otherwise know as “trades”, years have passed as Americans enjoy this weekend of backyard gatherings, hotdogs and burgers on the grill and celebrations with friends and family.
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I praise Him with my song.
Psalms 28:7 HCSB
The problem with my great love of Labor Day has been the pride in my heart. As a “tradesmen” I always assumed so naturally this holiday was FOR ME. The day was to honor me and those like me that used their hands or bodies to earn their livings. Although this may be true for the “Labor Day” the thought process that has developed within me has it’s core roots in evil pride.
For the Lord has been the One that has allowed this trade of mine to provide for so long for our family. God alone has been in control of my hands and arms having the ability to heal, to mend, and to recover as each regular weekend had passed before the following grueling Monday came. Even further, over 5 years ago now, I can recall the day of the multi-level surgery that had to happen on my left arm and had to recover my few remaining nerves before complete loss had occurred. It was God there in that Doctor’s tools to recreate a nerve path of sustaining blood supply for my weathered nerves.
Having a prideful heart is not uncommon however it is un-manageable. We may think we can “figure things out” on our own but the truth is we CANNOT.
Proverbs 16:18[Full Chapter]
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
The TRUTH can be found throughout scripture detailed the folly of the prideful heart. I am raising my hand today in admittance of wanting to be noticed, in admission of wanting others to “see what I ‘ve done” or to notice me. I am confessing to you that MY PRIDEFUL HEART still gets in the way of my faith and my freedom in Christ.
The great news is Christ is far greater than my sinful prideful self. Although my words and actions require His constant forgiveness and grace, HE IS ENOUGH. Christ work on the cross and conquering of death has cured me although at times, (including on Labor Day) I may fail to see it or act through His truths.
We have an incredibly bad habit of making much of ourselves don’t we?
Labor Day is the day to allow rest for the tired tradesman and tradeswoman, however it doesn’t need to end with us thinking we deserve the break. Humility in Christ and our Lord is the way to full rest. Work with me today to not think too highly of our own works but to know we have a long way to go before the end of our “labor days”.
Barnabas Man 