As I have been preparing to write this Faith column as Labor Day approaches quickly, I have found that the Holy Spirit is talking to me once again.

I had already mentally prepared my article and then the Holy Spirit let me know, in no uncertain terms, that what I intended to write about was incorrect at this time. As I have learned over time there is one thing that I must attend to and that is to listen and obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in my heart. I still laugh when I drive in Texas and see the road signs that state, “Don’t mess with Texas,” and my wife Christine and I changed that to state, “Don’t mess with the Holy Spirit.”

​What I felt compelled to write about was labor, not necessarily the history of Labor Unions, but labor itself. I am referring to those in this life that are called to proclaim the Gospel to those who would listen, those who would hear. Although I am a priest in the Episcopal Church and a rostered pastor in the ELCA, I am not only referring to those who are professional proclaimers, but all my brothers and sisters, past, present and future, that labor daily to make that proclamation to others. When asked by others what person influenced them the most about becoming a follower of the Way, it certainly is not always a clergy person. It is that person that can be seen daily picking up their own cross and letting others see what a believer is capable of.  

Most often it is not the person standing on a soapbox, pointing their fingers at others and telling them to believe, but it is that laborer among the crop who walks their talk. They may not be professionally trained theologians, they may not be of the same background as others, they may have deviated from the teaching of Christ at some point, but they are the ones that are often seen as examples for others.

​Are our lives always flawless, has everything always gone our way professionally and personally or were there pitfalls along the way? Perhaps personal loss, perhaps falling into sin and not immediately recognizing it, perhaps losing family, jobs and friends to becoming too much of the world and not enough in the world. Often it is only after the most profound loss, grief, or challenges in life that we realize our own addictions and inadequacies to handle life.  

As the old proverb says, one can’t bounce back until they have hit bottom. Jesus Christ experienced all that human beings can experience and taught us that we are to love, as He loves us, to lay down our lives for others even as He laid down His life for us. He told us to be in a right relationship with God and with our neighbor and promised us the gift of eternal life. He also promised us forgiveness of our sins because all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God.

​How can we thank those who have had a profound influence upon our lives through teaching us about Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Pray for them daily, that they may continue the good fight to proclaim the Gospel. Personally thank those who labor in the love of God for all that they mean to you. Write them a card letting them know that their love and their labor is seen and appreciated.

Come to the church of your choice and worship the Lord, find a mentor that you can contact and ask them about Jesus and what He has done in their lives and how you too can benefit from His love. May God bless you, watch over you, make His face to shine upon you and prepare you to be a positive influence in other people’s lives.

Bain White is the priest/pastor at St. Mark’s Church of Grace, Craig.  He may be reached at office@stmarksepiscopal-lcog.org