According to the United States Department of Labor, “the first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union, which held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later on Sept. 5, 1883.
In 1884, the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a “workingmen’s holiday” on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and, in 1885, Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.
Through the years, the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them, developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York Legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on Feb. 21, 1887. During the year, four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and, on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.
Labor Day … a great time to sit, relax, enjoy family and friends, and rest. In John 11:38-42, we have the story of Mary and Martha, who are often contrasted, as though each believer must make a choice: be a worker like Martha or a worshiper like Mary. We all have special gifts and talents and should use those talents to glorify God. It would seem from this story that, while labor is important, we need to have balance between work and time for worshiping God.
Consider Martha’s situation. She received Jesus into her home and then neglected Him as she prepared an elaborate meal that He did not need! It’s hard to believe that a seasoned hostess like Martha did not have everything in order in preparation for the Lord’s visit. What Martha did not realize is it is far more important what we do with Christ than it is what we do for Christ. Mary seemed to understand this balance and put this into practice when, after finishing her work, she had gone to sit at the feet of Jesus to learn from Him. Martha, feeling neglected, complains to the Lord, expecting Him to scold Mary for neglecting her work, as though she could care less about her responsibilities.
There are few things in the Christian life that are as damaging as trying to work for Christ without taking the time to commune with Christ. “For without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Mary chose the better part, the part that could not be taken from her. She knew that she could not live “by bread alone” (Matt. 4:4).
Instead of criticizing others and feeling self-pity for ourselves, maybe we should take time to examine our lives and see if, in all our busy schedules, we have neglected the Lord. The problem was not that Martha had too much work to do, but that all her work distracted her from what was really important in her life.
The key is to have the right priorities. Unless we spend time each day with Christ, we will soon end up like Martha, too busy and not blessed. If you are struggling, then let me ask you a question, how is your devotional life? The usual response is, “I can’t remember the last time I had a good quiet time or prayed.” And then, we wonder why we have problems! Don’t forget that just a few short verses earlier Christ said this, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you,” He said, “for I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:28-29).
Have a wonderful Labor Day!
Deron Peterson is is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach.
