Giving Our Work Dignity

Labor Day reminds us of the place of work in our lives. In these days, just to have work is a blessing and cause for gratitude.  It as also a time to look at the place that work holds in our lives:  is it something we drag ourselves to do?  Is it something that rules us or possesses us?  Is it something we enjoy and even love?  Is it a means to not only to use and expand our talents, but is it making a better world?  And on a spiritual level, is it helping us to enter the reign of God?
Genesis describes the work of creation in chapters one and two.  God worked creatively in bringing about this universe whose details and far reaching corners we have yet to fathom or even discover.  The author of Genesis mentions that at the end of each day, God looked back at his work and saw that it was good. He  also includes the seventh day, the day that God rested and blessed it, making it holy.  The pattern of work, rest and blessing, one day out of the seven is one that helps keep work in perspective.  A pattern of taking a deep breath in the course of a day, a little sabbath moment in the spirit of God's providence as described in Matthew's beloved passage about the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, who neither toil nor labor, but whose beauty God provides, not only gives needed space for our psyche or spirit to rest, but also a moment to offer a little prayer to remind us of God's presence and loving care in our lives, a moment of blessing,  as well as a moment to realize who is in charge.  When work dominates and controls us, is literally "in charge of us", we have a problem.  When we assert control over our work and confirm that we are in charge, we put work in its proper place, and when we give ourselves a chance to acknowledge that God is in charge, then we give added dignity to our work, for we do it for God.  As we rest from our labors on this "last day of summer", may we resolve to maintain that dignity when we go back to work tomorrow.
Bro. Rene