Balance Rest And Labor

A necessary part of life is balance. According to Match Medical, balance is identified in three areas: "The visual system (SEE), the proprioceptive system (FEEL), and the vestibular system (HEAR – located in the inner ear). The brain integrates and processes all the information from these three systems to help us maintain our balance or sense of equilibrium."

‌Daily activities like walking, running, using your phone, and bending over to tie your sneakers require balance. Even examples outside your body need balance. Your car's tires must be properly balanced to avoid unnecessary wear and tear and potential road danger. Steel-roped elevators rely on balancing to run smoothly.

‌In addition to these examples, your mind, body, and spirit also need balance. A story that puts that into focus for me is about two men who participated in a competition that involved an ax and heavy labor. The report said one man challenged another to an all-day wood-chopping contest. The challenger worked very hard, breaking only for a brief lunch break. The other man stopped and had a leisurely lunch and several breaks during the day. Later in the day, the challenger was surprised and annoyed that the other fellow had chopped substantially more wood than he had. "I don't get it," he said. "Every time I checked, you were taking a rest, yet you chopped more wood than I did." "But you didn't notice," said the winning woodsman, "that I was sharpening my ax when I sat down to rest."

‌You can think of rest that way. You sharpen your spirit, emotions, and resolve when you have a purposeful pause. Thus, to neglect rest is foolhardy and prideful. Psalm 127:2 adds, "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."

‌At the same time, you also need to be productive and work, and Labor Day serves as a reminder of this balance. Labor Day is a yearly holiday that pays tribute to the achievements and contributions of American workers. In 1884, Labor Day became an official holiday because of a labor movement that started in the late 19th century. Typically, Labor Day symbolizes the unofficial changing of seasons from summer to fall, retail sales, and BBQ gatherings. However, at its core, Labor Day is about recognizing those who are responsible, work hard, and deserve a break. According to the following Bible verses, God honors this perspective and practice:

‌Proverbs 12:24 says, "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and never succeed."

‌Colossians 3:23 says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

‌First Timothy 5:8 says, "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

‌You will live a fruitful and balanced life by combining a strong work ethic with healthy obedience to God's commands to rest! To God be the glory for the blessings of grace He bestows upon us, especially in our times of need.