The Christian Ear is a forum for discussing and listening to the voice of today's church.
The Lord spoke to churches,“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Rev 2&3
September 07, 2009
Every Day is Labor Day
“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
(1 Cor 15:58 NIV)
1 comment:
Steve Corey
said...
Gail;
-----Our Labor Day originated in connection with the 1870’s Canadian parades and demonstrations for a nine-hour work week. The first Labor Day celebrated in the US was on September 5, 1882. At roughly the same time, international celebrations were forming on May 1st of each year, which we know as May Day. The fiber of these holidays was that of the growing popularity of labor unions in response to excessive powers employers exploited in the labor market. Although the formation of labor unions effected a very necessary correction of this power, the labor unions walked beyond the point of achieving equity in the market, as most always occurs in human affairs from the human nature of self-interest, and marched onward into the camps of collectivism. The formation and activities of labor unions played a large role in developing what is referred to as Western Civilization’s fascist moment, which reached its pinnacles in nazi Germany and The Soviet Republic. -----I am gladdened that the US has not joined the predominance of the world in honoring the Labour Day of May 1st in all its collectivist sentiments. By joining the celebrations of our Canadian counterparts, the collectivist overtones of the September Labor Day have been minimized. As the result, we have honored the freedom of labor more than its organization. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “We give thanks to God always for you all…remembering before our God and Father your…labor of love…in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thes 1:2-3) As in all things, love is the basic element of labor that must be present for anything we do to be right and equitable. Love does not demand its own ways, but looks to what is beneficial and desirable to others as well as to ourselves. Therefore, love purifies and tempers our goals to become mutually co-operative with all who are affected by them. Had the labor movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries maintained respect for the individualism of their fellow man, they would not have benefited the collectivism which made the twentieth century so war-torn and tragic, nor would they be benefiting the collectivism resurging today. -----The leaders and influential of the church would do well to carefully consider the history of the fascist moment and its current resurgence. All too often the labor of love within the church is promoted through collective wrappings. The reality of magnifying our personal efforts through organized church programs and services must not be allowed to consume the personal relationships we have amongst each other in the Lord. The responsibilities of our new life to be kind and good to one another, considerate and generous, and sensitive to the needs at our doorsteps must not be depersonalized by reliance on some collective church effort. Otherwise, our love in the Lord and labor towards its effect will shrivel to the state of being mere tokens as our personal relationships with the Lord and others will overly submit to the control of a few. We have been called to personal relationships, and within them we must continue to personally labor.
1 comment:
Gail;
-----Our Labor Day originated in connection with the 1870’s Canadian parades and demonstrations for a nine-hour work week. The first Labor Day celebrated in the US was on September 5, 1882. At roughly the same time, international celebrations were forming on May 1st of each year, which we know as May Day. The fiber of these holidays was that of the growing popularity of labor unions in response to excessive powers employers exploited in the labor market. Although the formation of labor unions effected a very necessary correction of this power, the labor unions walked beyond the point of achieving equity in the market, as most always occurs in human affairs from the human nature of self-interest, and marched onward into the camps of collectivism. The formation and activities of labor unions played a large role in developing what is referred to as Western Civilization’s fascist moment, which reached its pinnacles in nazi Germany and The Soviet Republic.
-----I am gladdened that the US has not joined the predominance of the world in honoring the Labour Day of May 1st in all its collectivist sentiments. By joining the celebrations of our Canadian counterparts, the collectivist overtones of the September Labor Day have been minimized. As the result, we have honored the freedom of labor more than its organization. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “We give thanks to God always for you all…remembering before our God and Father your…labor of love…in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thes 1:2-3) As in all things, love is the basic element of labor that must be present for anything we do to be right and equitable. Love does not demand its own ways, but looks to what is beneficial and desirable to others as well as to ourselves. Therefore, love purifies and tempers our goals to become mutually co-operative with all who are affected by them. Had the labor movement of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries maintained respect for the individualism of their fellow man, they would not have benefited the collectivism which made the twentieth century so war-torn and tragic, nor would they be benefiting the collectivism resurging today.
-----The leaders and influential of the church would do well to carefully consider the history of the fascist moment and its current resurgence. All too often the labor of love within the church is promoted through collective wrappings. The reality of magnifying our personal efforts through organized church programs and services must not be allowed to consume the personal relationships we have amongst each other in the Lord. The responsibilities of our new life to be kind and good to one another, considerate and generous, and sensitive to the needs at our doorsteps must not be depersonalized by reliance on some collective church effort. Otherwise, our love in the Lord and labor towards its effect will shrivel to the state of being mere tokens as our personal relationships with the Lord and others will overly submit to the control of a few. We have been called to personal relationships, and within them we must continue to personally labor.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment