With Labour Day tomorrow, all of New Zealand will down tools and take time to relax and beach and garden. We might even think about the origins of Labour Day Holiday as a celebration of the justice of working only a 40 hour week.
Christians are called to a rhythm of work and relaxation. Poet Wendell Berry expresses it well;
… workday
And Sabbath live together in one place.
Though mortal, incomplete, that harmony
Is our one possibility of peace.- Wendell Berry
And the origins of our rhythm of work and relaxation?
“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy … you shall not do any work … For in six days the Lord make the heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, but rested on the seventh day.” - Exodus
“Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy … you shall not do any work … remember that you were slaves in Egypt.” -Deuteronomy
Note the different motivations, relaxing because God relaxed and relaxing to celebrate a new justice. I pray a relaxing Labour Weekend for you, caught in God’s rhythm of work and rest.