Labor

. . . constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 - From I Thessalonians 1

Is "Labor" a good or bad word?

We celebrate "Labor Day" in the US, which is a day to recognize the manual skills and accomplishments of people that "work" for a living. The assumption, is, of course, that a person that studies markets and the performance of the stock market isn't "working," as much as a person swinging a hammer. Formally, we recognize and celebrate the advancements made for the quality of life of Americans, thanks to the union movement. Except, we all get a day off now. 

Labor Day may be one of my favorite holidays, if not my very favorite, in some ways. 

You don't have to get up early for gifts, or to go to Church, or to get a good seat at a parade. You don't spend all morning cooking. In fact, you don't have to be anywhere, necessarily, at all, all day. What few traditions there are, for gathering, always yield fond memories: the final outing at the lake. One last family BBQ. A visit to the park, for a long walk in the waning moments of summer. 

I always loved the Jerry Lewis Telethon, which occurred every year, all day, on Labor Day. Muscular Dystrophy is perhaps my favorite charity, and I will always be grateful for this tradition launched by Mr. Lewis. 

But, what makes Labor Day not the best holiday, in the end, is that you normally have to get up the next morning, early, to go to school. Summer is over.

Labor Day, in this context, refers to manual labor. Labor that requires you to lift, to move, to maneuver and work. Work, itself, is a word with negative connotations. Some people love to work, yes . . . but they are doing what they love. To them it isn't work. We should not look down upon others, that are not motivated to do the same things we are. 

"Labor of love" has a special meaning. It means there are some things you should do, without expecting to get paid. I have done a lot of research on my family history, through the years. I have come to a critical mass, of becoming aware of elders, and children, in my extended family, with distinct needs requiring some financial support. I said something about it to one of my cousins. She said "You should not expect to be paid to do genealogy. It should be a labor of love." She was totally missing the point. 

I think Paul meant something different, when he commended the Thessalonians for their "labor of love." He is very adamant, in many different contexts, that people serving Christ should be paid. If they don't get a little financial support, and even a few motivational rewards ($), they will be forced to leave the ministry (and we're all ministers). Paul is referring to the specific things that they do . . . their jobs, and their vocations, are driven by a godly love for others. They love serving Christ and others. They put a lot of sweat into it. It looks like work to others . . . whatever it is. 

Building homes for the homeless? Treating illnesses for the poor? Tutoring kids with a single parent? 

They were very busy. They are working. But it does not feel like work, because they are motivated by love. 

Talking about helping the needy isn't work. It is not labor. Only by helping . . . with your hands, and your heart, and your presence, is what labor of love is all about.