We are God's Workmanship

Labor Day. The last summer holiday is upon us. Gone are the days of splashing in the sun, vacation days, and summer picnics. Well, not really. Times have changed. People are mobile year-round. Not even being back in school keeps families from taking a vacation these days. Global warming has made our warm season stretch a little farther both in fall and spring, it seems. 

Even work has changed for some. There are four-day weeks, 12-hour days, exercise breaks, and 60-hour work weeks. Take your pick. Some labor so long and hard, while others are fortunate to work where there are wonderful perks. There are nurses and teachers who dedicate their lives to their profession, then there are work-a-holics who can't seem to quit working.

Unfortunately there is a trend of laziness and lack of commitment, and "who cares" attitudes that have hit the workforce recently. "No one wants to work" is the response many employers give as they post, "Help Wanted" signs in their windows. People don't want to work their way up. Some young people want to start at the level their parents' worked years to achieve. Our workforce is in trouble.

"We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right," (2 Thessalonians 3:11-13 NIV).

God created us to work. We are all individuals with different talents and abilities. He prepared works for us to do. I doubt He had retirement in His plans, though I'm sure He intended older adults to become advisors and sharers of wisdom to young people. 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do," (Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV).

Dear God, thank You for work and retirement. Help us live out Your purpose in all our days. Let us never grow tired or weary of doing good, but open doors for us to use our gifts for Your purpose. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.