Celebrate!

I was watching a football game recently (not unusual for me) and I got to thinking about celebrations. It occurred to me that participants in at least three sports have joyous celebrations with each score. Football, hockey, and soccer. The pace of football lends itself to more opportunities for celebration. With all three sports, there is a pause in the game after a score so players in these sports engage in group hugs, high fives,and other celebrations. Football players celebrate after a score. But they also have spirited celebrations after a good play. Even if the team is down by 30 points they will celebrate a score or a good play. I had been somewhat put-off by what I felt were empty celebrations.

Then it dawned on me that life should be a celebration. The vast majority of us will never be winners of the Super Bowl, heist Lord Stanley’s Cup, or hold the FIFA World Cup Trophy. We won’t receive a Nobel prize, get elected to a Hall of Fame, or get other notable recognitions. In the view of eternity, those things don’t matter. But, we can, and should celebrate our victories as they are part of who we are while on earth.

Our reasons to celebrate are God-given, so they should be celebrated. Celebration is more than winning. We celebrate what God has done for us. Keep in mind that if we are fully attuned to God in our lives, He will direct us. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads “With all your heart. You must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow (CEV).”

God does direct us. Several years back, I had just completed my doctorate in Accounting. Professors with a terminal degree and a CPA designation were highly coveted in the academic world. In my way of thinking, I searched diligently. Some interviews I immediately rejected. Others, I would have accepted but they weren’t offered. In retrospect, I now see that God was holding me back for the right position – the one He wanted for me.

God is also in the minutiae of life. I remember when my father had died, my wife, Gloria and I were driving to his home, several hundred miles away. We needed to stop and buy something so we pulled into a mall parking lot. For some reason, the place was packed, not a parking place to be found. As we were going down one lane, a lady was walking to her car. She signaled us to follow her so we could have her parking space. Even though I was frustrated and definitely not praying, God was looking out for us.

Jesus celebrated on a number of occasions. In reading the Scriptures, we see that Jesus celebrated the Jewish holidays. Just prior to His crucifixion, He planned a passover meal to share with His disciples. The Feast of First Fruits was observed on the first day after the Sabbath at Passover. He gave new meaning to that day, as He arose from the grave. In 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 (NIV) Paul recognized Christ as the firstfruits “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”

We know he attended family celebrations, as at the wedding in Cana. In fact, you might say he salvaged the wedding celebration by turning water into wine. We can only imagine the celebration that occurred when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. When Jesus healed there were certainly joyous celebrations.

The gospels tell us of the angels, shepherds, and wise men celebrating the birth of Jesus. Jesus gave us celebrations of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. When the prodigal son returned, the father ran to greet him. He ran with abandon, as a Middle Eastern man never ran. He risked shame and humiliation. After an embrace, the father ordered his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and shoes. Then he instructed the servants to prepare a lavish meal of celebration. There are no shortages of celebrations in the Bible.

In His classic book, Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster wrote “Celebration is central to all the Spiritual Disciplines. Without a joyful spirit of festivity the Disciplines become dull, death-breathing tools in the hands of modern Pharisees.” There is no doubt that we were made to be celebratory Christians. Psalms 150 is one of my favorite Psalms. This Psalm tells us when and why we should praise and celebrate. ”

Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.

Praise Him with trumpet sound;
Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with tambourine and dancing;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flute.
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Everything that has breath shall praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord!

Although not classified as Christian music, Kool and the Gang gave us the song “Celebration.” It has become a standard at parties and celebrations of all kinds. We should demonstrate that type of celebration as we have every reason to celebrate the goodness of God. Celebrate our Lord, celebrate what He has done for us. Celebrate His greatness.

All scripture is from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise noted.

Photo credit to Pete Linforth, Jeff Jacobs, and Geralt on Pixabay.