I’ve had a lot of different jobs in my life . . ..

I’ve worked in everything from mental hospitals to grocery stores, retail stores to steel mills, yet one of the most rewarding was my brief stint as a painter. During my college years I used to do odd jobs, mostly small painting jobs of garages, interior work, etc.

As I look back on it, what was most fulfilling about it was the fact that I did it myself with my own two hands. I also like the fact that my work was very public. Probably best of all, at the end of every day, I could see what I got done, and I could see what I needed to finish.

We were created both to be and to do. I remember an old Peanut’s cartoon. Snoopy is reading a philosophy book, musing on the differences between epistemology and ontology. He thinks, "Be?" "Do?" "Do?" "Be?"   Then he smiles and sings, "Dobeedobeedo . . .."

Seriously, we have value because of "who" and "what" we are. We also are valuable because of what we do, and what we do has great significance. From Solomon to the Apostle Paul, your Bible is filled with teaching about the significance of work. On the other hand, the Bible clearly teaches us not to rely on our ‘works’ when it comes to our relationship with God.

On this Labor Day weekend, 2008, I want to preach a message entitled, "The Labor of Love and the Love of Labor."

One of the primary differences between men and women is that when you ask a man how he’s doing, he is liable to tell you about his job. You ask a woman and she is liable to talk about something to do with the relationships in her life.

One of the most devastating things that can happen to anyone is when their work is demeaned. The most successful leaders I know have an almost innate ability to affirm those who work for them and with them. Equally devastating is when a person fails to nurture relationships because they are consumed by their work. There has to be a balance and it is found in the Word of God.

Let’s do some work . . ..