Celebration

Life can get mundane. We can work hard and get into ruts. We can take things, including ourselves, very seriously, maybe too seriously. Even in our pursuit of the Lord we can fast, pray, meditate, and work so hard that we miss the joy of knowing the Lord. At some point the Lord knows we need to lighten up. He wants to disrupt our calendars. He wants us to embrace and enjoy times of celebration.

To celebrate means to observe a day or event with ceremonies of respect, festivity or rejoicing; to take part in enjoyable activities in order to show that particular occasion is important; to commemorate or honor with demonstrations of joy. In the Bible God not only gives us permission to celebrate but actually asks this of us.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:15 to “Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.” Soloman tells us in Ecclesiastes 3: 4 that there is “a time to mourn and a time to dance.” There are seasons in life and events that elicit very different responses. Yes, there are sad times and even sad seasons, but there also are times to rejoice and to celebrate. Sometimes these seasons crash together. I well remember the weeks that my mother died even as we welcomed our granddaughter into the world. We experience sorrow we must not miss the times of celebration. Celebration may come easily to you or it may be a choice. It may be something that you have to decide to do.

Zephaniah 3:17 describes the Lord, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in His love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.” God rejoices over us; rejoicing is a godly trait. We can emulate this and rejoice over others. Remember the phrase from the Lord’s prayer, “on earth as it is in heaven”? Guess what we see in heaven? We see rejoicing in heaven! “In the same way I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Think of the picture painted by the story of the prodigal son. I bet you know the story. A man had two sons. The younger son demanded his share of the estate and went off and squandered it with loose living. He ended up desperate and starving. When he came to his senses he returned home to his father in repentance.

“While he was still a far way off his father saw him and felt compassion for him and ran and embraced him and kissed him. He threw a celebration for his long lost son, with fattened calf and music and dancing. There is more to the story but I want to stay right here. I don’t want us to miss the story of celebration, music, dancing, fabulous food and no doubt, the best of wine. It was a time of making merry and rejoicing. The father of the prodigal son hosted a grand celebration because his son “who was dead has begun to live and was lost and has been found.” Luke 15:32.

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy is strength. A deep sense of pure joy, not happiness that depends upon what is happening, but joy, abiding joy, is your strength.

In Deuteronomy 14 there is a most interesting tithe required of the ancient Jews. All Jewish males of a certain age were expected to go to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the Feast of Passover, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles. As we learn from the Gospels when Jesus was twelve he accompanied His family to Jerusalem for Passover. The entire family was included in these celebrations, not just the adult males. If for some reason they could not make the trip they were expected to celebrate the feasts from their own town. They set aside the tithe all year long then followed God’s instruction. “And you may spend the money for whatever your heart desires, for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.” Deuteronomy 14:26.

Celebration was such a priority of God that required His people to tithe so that when the time came for the festivities they would have the funds for a wonderful celebration! This is stunning to me. God loves for His people to enjoy feasts and celebrations and wants to ensure they have the funds to cover these special times.

Celebrate the milestones of your life like those big round birthdays and anniversaries, weddings, baptisms, Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. Celebrate the “inch” stones of your life like when a child gets their braces off or a project is completed. Make sure you don’t get too caught up in the grit of life that you miss marking out and celebrating special occasions. Celebrate!

Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me not to get so caught up in the routine of daily life that I cannot take a break and celebrate You and the loved ones in my life. Help me lift my eyes and see life from Your perspective. You have the whole world in Your hands. You work all things out for good and for Your glory. I can rejoice. Help me to make celebration a part of my lifestyle as I follow You on the ancient paths.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen