One of the lectionary Psalter readings that land on Labor Day Weekend (Sunday, September 4th) is fitting as we consider the significance of the holiday:

Let’s look at the first three verses of Psalm 1 (NRSV)

Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;

but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.

They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither.

In all they do, they prosper.

My first jobs as a teenager were in agriculture.  I picked cherries and pears among other tasks.  The work was hard and the wage was modest at best.  I am grateful for those first jobs for they taught me something about labor and the fruits of our labor.  Psalm One has a way of bringing me back to those days.

It strikes me every Labor Day that we as a culture and we as The Christian Church don’t make much of the holiday.  It is also curious to me this election cycle that very little is being said about job creation.  It seems to me that the best way to help the most people is to figure out how to provide more people with meaningful work.

As Church we are privileged to have meaningful work whatever our season in life.  As I approach retirement age I am grateful that the relevant tasks of being the people of God never ends.  I am also grateful that for most of my work life I have had employment that was interesting, purposeful, enjoyable and paid better than my first jobs in the orchards of Washington state.

On this Labor Day weekend it is my hope that all of us can reflect on the work God has given us to do as a blessing rather than a burden.  Whether it is employment or voluntary may we see it as a way to offer witness.  May we always be mindful of doing our work well and ethically.  May the money we receive be adequate to meet our needs and may we be open to the fact that the most important fruits of our labors don’t even show up in our checkbook ledger.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Timothy Johnson