September

Here we are in September already. Of course, when we think of September, our thoughts of-ten go to either the beginning of the school year or Labor Day. For some who still hold to conven-tion, it means the first Monday in September marks the last day one can wear white until the spring. Just in case someone is unaware of what is celebrated during this holiday, allow me to provide a definition I found on the internet: [Labor Day in the United States is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend and it is considered the unofficial end of sum-mer in the United States. The holiday is also a federal holiday.]
          
     There you have it; a day to honor the contributions workers have made to this great country. I think that we should also take time to celebrate the contributions workers for the kingdom of God have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of the bride of Christ, otherwise known as “the church”. Many of us who belong to His church strive to live in such a way and labor to contribute to Christ’s church in a manner that we will one day hear the words of the master to His faithful servant: 
​“Well done, good and faithful servant…..Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21, ESV) Our labors are: a labor of love, a labor of praise, a labor of gratitude; to name but a few. 

     Sometimes however, when we are weary, feeling our age, or discouraged we allow erroneous thoughts to enter our mind. Those thoughts are something like this: “I can’t possible contribute to God’s kingdom in my state” and “My contribution will be so small that it is insignificant”. Let me ad-dress the later first. When we consider a bucket that is filled a drop at a time to the point it is over-flowing; which drop caused it to overflow? The first? The last? Or one in the middle? Each drop contributed equally. In the church, some of these drops can be lifting a brother up in prayer; sharing a smile with a brother in Christ who is sad; giving a hug when someone is down; or warmly greeting a newcomer to our church. There is no labor that is too small to be insignificant and there is no labor that is large enough to compare to what Christ has done for us. In those times when we are weary, sick or discouraged, we can still contribute by allowing others to min-ister to us. Some of us were brought up to “not impose”, but allowing a brother or sister in Christ to help us in those times when we are the ones in need. It also contributes to the health of the body of Christ because we are providing an avenue for the love of Christ to flow. 

Let us all strive to live a life of labor for His Kingdom. 

Have a blessed September,
Vic