Another holiday is just days away, and the focus is something we all love to do…WORK (LABOR), right!? Where did it begin, and what does it mean to you? Can work be more important than we thought in the past, and is it connected to our eternal life? Let us dig a bit!

First, work began before the Garden of Eden! Whatever work means to you, the fulfillment of a dream, a living, a way to pass the time, purpose, identity. Something you desire, or more, it all began before there was time.

How amazing that when God created the earth and our foreparents, Adam and Eve, their first assignment by a perfect “working” God was “go to work”! Genesis 2:2 guides the reader to the next step in this godly work mode. It states, “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had made, and He rested….” Could it be that when work is ceased on the Seventh day it takes on a different hue?

Looking back at Genesis 1:31, God states that He looked at all He had made and it was good. Do we see our work from this perspective…good and blessed by God?

Knowing the role of work in the lives of Cain and Abel, God gave them a worship assignment which grew out of their work. In the center of the assignment was obedience! He tied work to worship through obedience. Gen. 4:4,5 And we know that Cain failed the test because of self. Killing his brother began a lifetime of fear and dread. From then until now, historically, work has continued to take on inequities, from child labor to perennial cycles of injustice and resistance. Yes, by the sweat of your brow!

And self is still at the center, but with Jesus giving His life for you and me, we have new opportunities to seek Him first, and all these things shall be added unto you, Matt. 6:33. A promise that He will make good and prepare us to live with Him throughout eternity!

As many of you take this time off from “work” this holiday, we at Grace Abounds prayerfully encourage each of you to step back and reassess your work. Decide who you really work for (God), and with this perspective you will approach work with heavenly goals; then take the seventh day off just as Jesus did! Prepare to experience mental, physical, and spiritual health as never before! 3 John 2

As you visit our website, leave a note and let us know your thoughts on this inspiration, and please remember that we are faith-based and dependent on your prayers and contributions to continue this ministry of service, love, and hope until He comes!! Also remember that moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounds grace does much more abound! Romans 5:20. We love all of you…until next time-