Labor Day

The Labor Day weekend is a special one.  This weekend is often viewed as the last hurrah of summer.  Many of us try to eke out one more picnic or boat ride or camping trip – anything to hold onto summer just a little bit longer. 

There is another aspect to the Labor Day weekend that often gets overlooked.  It seems that ever since we were old enough to attend school, this weekend not only marks the end of summer, but it also traditionally marked a new beginning as well.  Even though most of us no longer work according to an academic calendar, in many ways, I think early September feels more like the launch of a New Year than January 1st does.

This probably traces back to our childhood days when we began school with a new teacher, a new outfit, and new school supplies.  And no matter what had happened in the previous grade, we felt like we had a shot for a fresh start.  As an adult, I find myself setting more goals at this time of year than I do in early January.  I like to think about how I hope to be different, and how I would like to grow and improve between now and next summer. 

Typically, when we set our sights on personal goals, we generally wind up with mixed results.  Sometimes we get frustrated with our lack of progress in these areas and as a result, we give up. 

Isaiah 43:19 addresses this subject by saying, “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing.  Now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?  I will put a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” 

In this verse, God speaks to His people, reassuring them of His ability to create new beginnings, even in challenging circumstances.  The message is clear: no matter what we face in life, God is actively working to bring about change and transformation.  The phrase, “I will do a new thing” implies that God is not bound by our past or our current situation.  Though we may find ourselves caught up in the assumptions of what we can or cannot achieve, we are reminded that God’s plan may be vastly different from our own expectancies.   

Throughout Scripture, wilderness and deserts symbolize times of trial, boredom, or hopelessness.  In life, we may feel lost or overwhelmed by the challenges we face.  But the promise that God can bring forth streams in dry and arid places signifies that God will walk through those barren moments with us.  We may feel as though we are in a wilderness, but God’s plan is to create pathways where we see none, opening doors that we never thought possible. 

My prayer this week is for our spirits to be renewed as we look forward to the rest of the year with hope and expectation. 

-Pastor Mike Howard