If you think your work schedule is brutal, imagine slogging through 12 hour workdays, seven days a week. That was the expectation in the 1800s. It’s been little more than a century since our current standards of two day weekends, 40 hour work weeks and overtime pay existed.
The first Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest during the Industrial Revolution. Did you know Canadians play a part in this holiday’s origin story? New York City’s Union Square in 1882 might be the focal point but Peter J. McGuire proposed the holiday after attending the annual labor festival celebrated in Toronto, Canada. By 1872 Canadians had successfully lobbied for the Nine Hour Day and legalized unions.
In present day quality of life is often measured by the amount of paid holidays given to employees. Some of the most progressive countries offer one statutory holiday per month. But God prescribed one holiday per week! a non-labour day for everyone! He embedded it at Creation and confirmed it again by His own finger in stone tablets given to Moses.
The book of Genesis reveals how because of our sin & rebellion God‘s good work became labor. Sabbath keeping is a declaration of our identity as Gods children. He liberates & saves us from being slaves, including to the company clock. Sabbath keeping is act of resistance against oppressive power.
As a child of God you are reminded every 1 day in 7 you are not to live indebted to anyone but God. When we Sabbath it is to practice restorative justice and refusal to enslave others. It is a day to bless others, not add to their burden. Remind the most vulnerable and marginalized they equally bear the image of God and are worthy, deserving of rest.
When we accept the call to help mend the brokenness in this world, we start with rest because thats where God starts.
Happy Labour Day & Happy Sabbath!