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Labor Day and Labors of Love

He said, “It is finished” John 19:30

     Lord Jesus, on this Labor Day, our hearts are filled with gratitude. As exasperating as they can be at times, we’re thankful for our jobs—for the good gift of work, by which we provide for our families and reveal your glory. Indeed, through work, we participate in the creation mandate—the calling you gave us to steward your resources, make culture, and fill the earth with your glory. Even in the new heaven and new earth, we’ll live lives of creativity, engagement and meaningful work. Hallelujah, there’ll be nothing boring about heaven.

But even more so, on this Labor Day, we’re grateful for your finished work, Lord Jesus—for your labor of love offered for us, once and for all. Everything changed when you cried out from the cross, “It is finished!” We praise you for the once-and-for-all-ness of your redeeming work on our behalf.

As our substitute in life, you accomplished what we could never do for ourselves; you fulfilled all the demands of the law for us. And as our substitute in death, you accepted the just and holy consequences of our failure to love God, and keep his good and true Law. Keep us astonished at this good news, Jesus.

Because your labors are complete, we’re counted guiltless and righteous. We’re fully known and greatly loved; seated in the heavenlies and rooted in love; standing in grace and sealed for eternity. Hallelujah!

The arrogance of performance-based-acceptability has taken an eternal beat-down; legalism and pragmatism have been exposed and dethroned. Now our labors have also become labors of love. We obey you because you loved us and gave yourself for us as a sacrifice for our sins. What a joy, privilege and honor.

We now work from a place of rest, not restlessness; not to get anything, but because we’ve received everything; not to build a little fiefdom for ourselves, but to expand your kingdom in our communities; not to get crowns, but to throw crowns at your feet. Indeed, on this Labor Day, we are so very grateful, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.

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