Its almost Labor Day!  No way!  Time flies.  This holiday is always an interesting one to me: “a celebration of working people… dedicated to the social and economic achievements that workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.”  It appears that a great way to celebrate the achievements of working people is to take a day off!

This has an echo of Biblical quality.  “In six days God created… and on the seventh, he rested…”  God may have celebrated his achievements by taking a day off. Actually, God never ‘sleeps’ but is continually upholding the universe.

I have heard the phrase ‘labor of love’ used many times by people in conversation.  For example, “This project was a ‘labor of love.'”  It speaks a truth about love – sometimes it can be labor.

How do you understand the nature of love?  Is it labor?  Or is it joy?  Is it duty?  Or is it delight?  When God loves is it duty or delight?  When God calls us to love him and to love others is it duty or delight?

We will explore this on Sunday together for our Labor Day worship and message.  Read Psalm 63:1-8.  Does love sound like something that is born our of duty or delight?  Read Hebrews 12:1-3.  When Jesus loved us so much that he gave his life for us, did he love out of duty or delight?  Read Micah 6:8.  Does God call to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God a call to duty or delight?

Lets talk it over Sunday,

Pastor Mark

Get ready – September 10th is our fall kickoff.  It begins with a pancake breakfast followed by outdoor worship and Profession of Faith by Jonathon Lawson.