A teacher, a nurse, a lender, and a welder. This isn’t the punch line to a joke. These are the occupations of my children. I’m proud of the work they do. I preached often, “Any job they pay you to do is a good job.” I thank God they find their jobs fulfilling and don’t go thinking, “It’s a dirty job.”

Here is what the Feds say about Labor Day:

“Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country” (U.S. Department of Labor).

I say, “Amen, brother.” I didn’t fully appreciate the blessing of going to work until I couldn’t do it anymore. No doubt the Great Recession renewed appreciation for a good job in many Americans. Our job titles are always much more than ways to support ourselves. They are expressions of who we are and the biggest contribution we make to our society. The reward of work is partly what we get out of it, but also in what we give through it.

Christians always have another motivation to work hard. It is our routine way of serving the Lord. It is the call of God we answer every time the alarm goes off. So, “whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).