A Perspective on Labor for Labor Day
Bert and I were saddened to learn that our friend Wallace had only weeks to live due to advanced leukemia.
Six months later, although he never went into remission, he rebounded so well that the hospice house discharged him, allowing him to return home for a short while.
Throughout his ordeal, even while in the hospice house, Wallace prayed, “Father, You’ve kept me alive this long. What do You have left for me to accomplish?”
What an example! Wallace could have easily justified putting his feet up and taking it easy for whatever time he had left. Yet even in the face of fatigue, he wanted to live out the rest of his life faithfully.
What if you and I lived each day as if Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) was true?
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
What if we lived as if the One Who created us had actually prepared a plan for every day of our lives?
We love the permission Labor Day gives us to rest from our work. So, without detracting from all that Labor Day entails, I’d like to suggest we look at our work differently. Perhaps if we asked God to show us how to serve Him in everything we invest our time and sweat into (work and leisure), it could change our perspective.
How might our lives change if we asked God, “What have You prepared for me to do today, Lord?”
What if we asked this every day at work, school or home?
Wouldn’t this affect not only our day but everything we labor toward? Especially if we did it all with a humble and cheerful attitude? It would give even mundane tasks meaning.
It’s been about ten years since Wallace left us. I wish I could thank him for modeling how to live and work well. By God’s grace, I want to live out the plan God has prepared for me each and every day, for as long as I’m able.
Every time I’m tempted to waste another day, I want to think about the look that must have been on Wallace’s face when His Lord and Savior said, … “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
What about you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Your comment might also benefit others.)
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I have to say I admire Wallace! I love his perspective – that was the awesome condition of his heart!
That’s the attitude we should all have.
But you can’t really adopt that attitude until you’re heart has that perspective.
God blesses us with such truly incredible examples, especially when we need Him to ‘spell it out for us’!
Thank you, Helen. Wallace truly was a great guy. I’m glad I got to know him and his wife, Verlaine.
And… so true! God is so kind to “spell it out for us” through people who model a Christ-centered life so well!
How might your life change if you asked God, “What have You prepared for me to do today, Lord?”
What if we lived as if the One Who created us had actually prepared a plan for every day of our lives?
Wow! What a model Wallace was to everyone around him. What a testimony he was for Christ! We need to live each day with God’s purpose for our lives. We all have a limited time and need to use it wisely! “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. “He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” Titus 2:14. “You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.” John 5:16. “so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” Colossians 1:10. Thanks for sharing your personal God story, Sheryl!✝️
Thank you, Kim. Wallace was a true model for a living life well. I’m thankful to have known him and to have learned from him!
I want to thank you again, Kim, or stopping by and leaving a comment! It means a lot.