Sweating for Jesus …

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Whether you’re firing up the grill, bobbing lazily on a pool raft, or vegging out on the couch with a Netflix marathon, millions of Americans today are appreciating a break from their labors in celebration of Labor Day.

Many of those Americans are just grateful to be employed. The impact of a global pandemic has included closure of most businesses, some of which will never reopen again. Millions are unemployed.

Simply put, things are hard.

Fortunately, when it comes to our labors, things aren’t as hard as they used to be. This snippet from “Bits & Pieces” is a reminder that in times past even a clerk’s job could be harsh …

    Do you ever feel overworked, over-regulated, under-leisured, under-benefited? Take heart. This notice was found in the ruins of a London office building. It was dated 1852.

    1. This firm has reduced the hours of work, and the clerical staff will now only have to be present between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays.

    2. Clothing must be of a sober nature. The clerical staff will not disport themselves in raiment of bright colors, nor will they wear hose unless in good repair.

    3. Overshoes and topcoats may not be worn in the office, but neck scarves and headwear may be worn in inclement weather.

    4. A stove is provided for the benefit of the clerical staff. Coal and wood must be kept in the locker. It is recommended that each member of the clerical staff bring four pounds of coal each day during the cold weather.

    5. No member of the clerical staff may leave the room without permission from the supervisor.

    6. No talking is allowed during business hours.

    7. The craving for tobacco, wine, or spirits is a human weakness, and as such is forbidden to all members of the clerical staff.

    8. Now that the hours of business have been drastically reduced, the partaking of food is allowed between 11:30 and noon, but work will not on any account cease.

    9. Members of the clerical staff will provide their own pens. A new sharpener is available on application to the supervisor.

    10. The supervisor will nominate a senior clerk to be responsible for the cleanliness of the main office and the private office. All boys and juniors will report to him 40 minutes before prayers and will remain after closing hours for similar work. Brushes, brooms, scrubber, and soap are provided by the owners.

    11. The owners recognize the generosity of the new labor laws, but will expect a great rise in output of work to compensate for these near Utopian conditions.

Hard work and harsh conditions can still be found in several professions, but most modern Americans find their work conditions and jobs to be fairly comfortable. A sizable portion of the American workforce never have to break a sweat while on the job.

The Apostle Paul knew what hard work was, not just as a tent-maker (work he did sometimes to support himself and his ministry), but as an ambassador for Jesus Christ. Paul was so dedicated to making mature disciples of Jesus that is was the great labor of his life, something he broke a sweat at:

“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me,” Colossians 1:28-29.

Like Paul, every Christian is called to labor as ambassadors for Jesus Christ:

“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!'” 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.

Labor Day might be a good time for each of us to step back and assess our labor for the Lord. Do you “break a sweat” working diligently as a ambassador for Jesus so that God can make His appeal through you? Are you even on the job as Christ’s ambassador at all? How is God using you to make new disciples?

Scotty