8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-18
Today we are awarded a day of rest for all of our hard work throughout the year. So, Happy Labor Day to all of you. Christ is famous for promising a similar reward for our hard work as Christians. In Matthew 11:28, Jesus promises that He will give rest to all that come to Him, but what most of us don’t realize is that Jesus isn’t talking about in this life. Both the author of the book of Hebrews and Paul refer to this life as a race that has been set before us.
In a race, there are no breaks. There are no rests. We have to run with endurance, as the author of the book of Hebrews puts it in Hebrews 12:1-3. But don’t be discouraged. We are promised that the LORD will renew us on wings of eagles, and we will run, yet we won’t grow weary (Isaiah 40:30-31). Paul says that even though his body may be getting older and starting to fail, his spirit was renewed each day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
We aren’t running a physical race but a spiritual race. And when we’ve finished the race set before us, the LORD Jesus Himself will give us rest. Our Labor Day may not be here on the earth physically yet, but it’s coming. One day we will receive a new body that will never grow weary again, and we will become imperishable. We will receive rest that will last longer than one day. We’ll receive an eternity of rest and peace as a reward for running the race set before us.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Run To Rest.
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