Labor Day & Contemporary Slavery!

You can learn all about how Labor Day started here with a cool 5 minute video.  Some of these facts I knew and some are new to me.

It's nice that we in the USA get a federal holiday and all, but I often wonder about those countries that still have slave labor and horrible working conditions. Some global estimates state that there are still upwards of 40-50 million people in the world who live in "contemporary slavery" in the 21st century.  This includes forced labor, but also includes human trafficking, sexual exploitation and other forms of illegal enslavement.  I got this from an article I read here.  It's scary to think that we live in a world where this still happens. Even in the "Land of the Free" we have human trafficking.  Here is an article from CNN that talks a little about it.

Okay, I don't want to take away from the fun of a federal holiday, but I wanted to remind you (and myself) that even though the majority of the USA doesn't face the Labor Issues it did back in the 1800s when Labor Day was established, doesn't mean that as Christians we shouldn't be thinking, praying and doing all we can do to change this in other countries around the world.

Here is a link to the US Dept of State on ways to help fight human trafficking locally. 
And of course from one of my favorite go to websites, gotquestions.org, What does the Bible teach about human trafficking?

While we sit back and enjoy our long weekend, our BBQs and for some of us(myself included) the fact that summer is over and school has begun;

Remember this: Every life is of great value, and God loves all individuals.

I pray that all who are enslaved that they know God and be brought out of slavery.

I pray for those that do the enslaving, that their hearts can be changed and open to God's will and desire for all people.

No one is beyond His saving grace.  "Come as you are" by Crowder.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.