Labor Day

After the fall -- that pivotal moment when Adam and Eve faced the consequences of their contrary curiosity -- the curse imposed was two-fold. For Adam, there would be pain and difficulty in bringing forth food from the ground. For Eve, there would be pain and difficulty in bringing forth life from the womb. I wonder if it's a coincidence that we now refer to both difficult endeavors by a common term. We call them both "labor".

Whatever work we do, whether focused on the birthing and raising of children or the cultivation of crops and careers, we have a certain unspoken understanding of the pain and difficulty that comes with it. Nobody ever told us that life would be easy -- none of the honest people, at least. Whether we find the curse of work closely connected to our own sins or inevitably inherited from the sins of our ancestors is somewhat beside the point; we simply learn, slowly but surely, that work is hard, and that hard work is necessary.

Recently I've been struck by conversations about the illusive balance between life and work, as if they were two independent and competing activities. I don't really understand that way of thinking. I could understand (and relish) a discussion of the eternal balance between life and death, and I would happily engage in dialog about balancing work and rest. But I do not see life and work as opposed to each other in any way. Life requires work, whether by direct employment or indirect obligation to one's own desires. Conversely, work enriches life, whether by direct enjoyment or indirect satisfaction of those needs. The two are deeply intertwined. My soul resonates with the ancient truth, "that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him". (Ecclesiastes 5:18) Labor is both curse and blessing, for it is central and deeply woven into the fabric of fulfillment and satisfaction in life.

For the next five days, I will be retreating from the routines of my work, enjoying an extended holiday weekend with my wife in Chattanooga. I am looking forward to the rest, but not because I hate working or hope to escape its demands. Rather, I find that I work better, more effectively, and more joyfully, when I am well rested. My coach of recent months, Scott, has repeatedly advised me, "don't rest from your work; work from your rest." Rest is best understood as preparation for work, not escape from work, and certainly not broken exhaustion from excessive work.

Labor may be a curse, but Sabbath rest is the blessing that redeems the curse and breaks its spell. Enjoy your rest, so that you may better enjoy the satisfaction and fulfillment of all the good work that you continue to do. I will do the same.

Happy Labor Day.

-- Brother Tom