Sunday, September 3, 2017

2017 Summer devotions, week of September 3

September 3:  Laboring for Christ    

Share 
Share your highs and lows with each other, or write them here:
Highs
Lows







Read
Read one or more of the following texts:
Luke 6:45-49
James 1:19-25

Labor Day is kind of ironic as many people do have the day off from work.   Federally instituted in 1894, It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” (https://www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history)

We are invited as Christians to see our “labors” as a gift from God in which we use the talent and time that God has entrusted into our care.  Martin Luther emphasized “the priesthood of all believers” as a way of lifting up each of our callings to live out the gospel no matter what our job.

In this lectures on Genesis, Luther wrote: “thus every person has a calling.  While attending to it, he serves God …when a maid milks a cow or a hired man hoes the field – provided they are believers, namely, that they conclude that this kind of life is pleasing to God and was instituted by God - they serve God more than all the monks and nuns..”


Talk
Questions for conversation or personal reflection:
1)      What kind of work do you or have you done?
2)      How does viewing it as a way to serve God change your perspective on that work?
3)      How does the reading for today connect with your highs and lows?

Pray
Pray about your highs and lows, and any other needs you might have for today.  If you wish, write your prayers here:
My prayers








Bless
Offer a blessing. Use “May God bless you working and your resting,” or make up your own as a reminder of God’s love in your life.  Make the sign of the cross on each other’s forehead as you do this.  If desired, use water to make the cross.

Bonus Activity:

While many get Labor day as a holiday, pray for those who still must work this day – particularly for those who take care of us (medical professionals, law enforcement, emergency services, etc.)  As you meet people who are working, take the opportunity to thank them for whatever job that they do.