From the very beginning, God set the pattern. In Genesis 2:2–3, after six days of creating the heavens, earth, and everything in them, “God rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”

God didn’t rest because He was tired. He rested to show us that pause is part of creation itself. Work without rest leads to burnout. Rest without meaningful work leads to emptiness. The holy rhythm is both.

Jesus echoed this invitation when He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His words remind us that rest is not laziness, but restoration. It is about surrendering our striving and finding renewal in His presence.

Neuroscience affirms this same truth. When we never stop pushing, our nervous system stays in overdrive. Stress hormones flood our bodies, shrinking our ability to regulate emotions and think clearly. But intentional rest — prayer, stillness, gratitude, Sabbath rhythms — allows the brain to reset. Rest engages the parasympathetic nervous system, slowing the heart rate, reducing anxiety, and expanding our capacity to handle challenges. In other words: rest makes us stronger for the labor ahead.

Labor with Purpose

Labor Day also gives us a chance to reflect on the meaning of our work. Too often, we reduce “work” to our careers or paychecks. But scripture tells us that all labor done in love matters.

Colossians 3:23 encourages us: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” That means the late-night nurse tending to patients, the mother folding laundry, the entrepreneur chasing a God-given vision, and the volunteer giving their time all participate in work that matters to heaven.

Work becomes holy when it is aligned with love. It is not just about productivity; it is about participation in God’s ongoing creation. Every act of labor — no matter how small — becomes an offering when we do it with Him and for Him.

Practical Ways to Live the Rhythm

This Labor Day, let’s embrace both sides of the equation: the dignity of work and the necessity of rest. Here are a few practical ways to lean into the rhythm:

• Pause before starting your day. Even two minutes of prayer or gratitude calms the nervous system and reframes your work as purpose, not pressure.
• Honor the hidden labor. Notice the unseen work around you — the caregiver, the teacher, the coworker who holds things together. Speak life into their efforts.
• Rest without guilt. Remember that rest is not indulgence; it is obedience. Schedule moments of stillness as intentionally as you schedule meetings.
• Reframe your labor. Instead of asking, “How much did I get done?” try asking, “Did I work with love today?” That shift turns tasks into worship.

A Reflection for This Labor Day

As you pause this Labor Day, ask yourself:

• Where do I need to invite God’s rest into my soul?
• How can I begin to see my work as worship?
• Who around me might need encouragement to know their labor matters?

Your healing, your perspective, and your presence can ripple outward to those closest to you. Just as gratitude cracked open the darkness for Katie, your shift in perspective can bring light to your family, your workplace, and your community.

As we reflect on rest this Labor Day, I also want to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of our rhythm here at It’s Your Story to Tell. Each June, July, and August we step into what we call a sabbatical — a fancy name for rest. It’s a time to slow down, enjoy the summer with family, and seek God for what He wants to do in the next season.

Just as God designed work and rest to flow together, we’ve found that pausing intentionally each summer allows us to return refreshed, renewed, and ready to pour out with greater clarity and purpose. This season of rest fuels the conversations we’ll be sharing with you in the months ahead.

So, as you enjoy your own Labor Day weekend, may you be reminded: rest is not a pause in your story. It’s the preparation for the next chapter.

Reflection Prompt:

This Labor Day, write down one way you will rest deeply and one way you will honor someone else’s labor. Pray over both, and step into September with renewed strength, gratitude, and purpose.