Pursuing Our Destiny, Part 17–The Discipline of Celebration

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4, ESV)

 Albert Einstein said, “You can live as if nothing is a miracle or you can live as if everything is a miracle.”  He understood the quality/practice of celebration.  Dallas Willard defines this practice for us when he says, “We engage in celebration when we enjoy ourselves, our life, our world, in conjunction with  our faith and confidence in God’s greatness, beauty, and goodness.”

My wife and I have a 13 year-old Cairn Terrier.  Brandy and I go for a walk every morning about 6:00 a.m.  Through the spring and summer, we enjoy sunrises, flowers, birdsong, and fresh air.  Because I believe all those things come from God and are a reflection of his “greatness, beauty, and goodness,” every morning is a celebration!

Let’s think of another context.  Last weekend I shared in a memorial service for a man who loved God, his family, and people.  Almost 200 people attended the service, and we laughed and cried as we listened to stories and looked at pictures.  We celebrated the man’s life as a reflection of God’s “greatness, beauty, and goodness.”

This past Sunday, I officiated, along with Bill Welte, at the blessing of Ed & Vicki Weiss’ wedding.  Through music, word, and symbol (communion and the lighting of the unity candle), we shared in their joy and the work God has done in their lives.  The whole afternoon and evening led us to celebrate God’s “greatness, beauty, and goodness” as revealed in their lives and their love.

Each time I drive on the grounds at America’s Keswick, I find reason to celebrate.  Sometimes I celebrate the beauty of the sun on the lake.  Other times the vivid colors of all the flowers fills my heart with celebration. Often celebration comes when I meet someone on campus who warms my heart with a smile or a kind word.  And, who cannot celebrate when a man from the colony gives witness to God’s transforming work in his life!  We rejoice in all these things that reflect God’s “greatness, beauty, and goodness.”

How do you choose to live? I’ve met those people who suck the joy out of my life by their refusal to celebrate anything.  I must admit that I don’t like being around people who can’t see God’s “greatness, beauty, and goodness.”  We don’t need to live that way.  The “greatness, beauty, and goodness” of God is all around us.  We can see it in nature.  We can see it in the varied events of life.  We can see it in people!  The Apostle Paul nailed it when he gave us this instruction:  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”  (Philippians 4:4, ESV)

Choose to build the practice/discipline of celebration into your life.  You’ll be glad you did!  — Pastor John Strain recently retired from full-time pastoral ministry but is still actively speaking. He is a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Amos 4-6; John 7:28-53

Quote of the day: Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there! Dr. Adrian Rogers

Verse to Memorize:  Let my cry come before  you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word! Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. Psalm 119:169-170