Labor Day tends to sneak up on us. One moment we’re soaking in the long days of summer, and the next thing we know, the calendar has flipped to September, and here comes the first Monday of the month. For many, it’s a holiday that means cookouts, family gatherings, and maybe squeezing in one last trip to the lake. It also often marks the “unofficial end of summer.” Pools close, kids are back in school, and the pace of life shifts into fall mode.

But Labor Day is more than just a long weekend. It’s a day set aside to honor the value of work. And when we look at Scripture, we find that work is part of God’s design for us. In Genesis, Adam was placed in the garden to work it and take care of it. Work is not a punishment—it’s a calling. Through our labor, whether in an office, a classroom, a kitchen, a field, or even in the unseen tasks of caregiving, God allows us to serve others and reflect His character.

Yet, Labor Day also reminds us of something we often forget: the gift of rest. God worked six days in creation and then rested on the seventh—not because He was tired, but because He knew we would need the example. Rest isn’t wasted time. Rest is holy. It’s God’s way of reminding us that our worth doesn’t come from how much we produce or accomplish. It comes from Him.

Maybe today you feel the weight of your work. You’ve been carrying heavy responsibilities, and you’re tired. If that’s you, hear this truth: God delights in your faithfulness, but He also invites you to pause. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Labor Day gives us a chance to accept that invitation, if even just for a moment.

So, while you enjoy this holiday, take time to reflect. Thank God for the work He has entrusted to you. Celebrate the ways your labor, both seen and unseen, makes a difference in the lives of others. And don’t be afraid to rest. Step outside, breathe deeply, and remember you are loved—not because of what you’ve done, but because of who you are in Christ.

Today is about labor, but it’s also about balance. Work with all your heart, as if working for the Lord, and rest with the same confidence, knowing that God is in control.

Happy Labor Day. May your day be filled with gratitude, peace, and the joy of knowing your work matters and your rest is blessed.