Is your Labor important?

In his 1986 book, “Who Switched the Price Tags?”, Tony Campolo shared this true story about the value of work.

Tony Campolo and his wife, Peggy, were visiting Scotland to find the specific shipyard where her grandfather had worked before immigrating to the United States. Unsure of the directions, they stopped a middle-aged woman on the street to ask the way. As it turned out, she worked at that very shipyard and invited the Campolos to walk along with her.

During their walk, a daytime shift had just ended, and streams of shipbuilders were leaving the yard. Campolo noted that every single worker they passed greeted the woman with incredible enthusiasm. Everyone knew her name, and she knew theirs, radiating a “fun-loving quality” and a vibrant presence.

When they arrived at the yard, Campolo asked her exactly what her job was, assuming she held a prominent role given how respected and well-known she was. Her response was immediate. Campolo described it this way.

She stopped in her tracks, took my arm, and then spoke to me in such a way that I was sure she was about to tell me something of enormous importance.

“What do I do?” she asked rhetorically. “What do I do?” she asked a second time, as if I had not caught the question the first time. “I’m the one who cleans the ships.” (Her job was to crawl into the dark, cramped holds of the ships and scrub the sludge and oil out of the boilers.)

And then, obviously impressed with the importance of her task, she added, “And you know, nary a ship (not one) goes to sea until I say it’s clean enough. It’s my job to see to it that every bit of dirt is polished away. That’s what I do.”

Campolo used this story to demonstrate that all work is sacred. Despite having what many would consider a low-status, grueling, and dirty job, the woman did not allow her occupation to diminish her dignity, joy, or impact on her community. Her identity and worth came from how she treated people and how she carried herself, proving that any job can be done to the glory of God and with a sense of divine purpose.

The Apostle Paul gives us this instruction in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Whatever you do – your job, chores around the house, school homework, errands, work projects, etc – are to be done to honor the Lord. No job is insignificant or inconsequential if we offer it as an expression of worship to Him. We are to glorify Him with Everything we say and do – not just at our gatherings on Sunday morning. Your work on Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon and Friday evening is also an act of worship, if you lay it at the feet of Jesus. Let’s do it! Let’s give Him All the glory!

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Our Drive-Through Prayer outreach in the parking lot is this Saturday, September 5, from 11am-1pm.

This Sunday, September 6, we will consider “God’s Gift of Work” (Colossians 3:17, 22-24). We will also share in Holy Communion. Please invite someone to join you at the 10:35am worship service in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

After this Sunday’s service, everyone is invited to stay for a Labor Day Potluck Lunch in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite picnic foods to add to the table. It will be ono-licious!

Coming Up: “Girl Time Lunch & Fun” for all ladies is Saturday, September 12, at 11:30am. Bring a friend or two plus something delicious to add to the table.

The “Celebration of Life” service for my dad, William Ashpole, will be on Saturday, October 3, at 1pm at Faith Assembly in Mililani. All are welcome to attend.

Aloha and Aloha ke Akua!