Why Celebrate?

March 3, 2011 4:48 am Encouragement

This post was written by Kevin Martineau who blogs over at Shooting the Breeze. He’s a great pastor who writes encouraging, inspiring, and challenging posts. I’m blessed to consider him a friend so check out this post and his site–lots of great stuff!

Over the last several months, I have been working my way through the Old Testament. I haven’t made it very far yet (just got into Deuteronomy) but one thing has become very apparent to me in my reading.

The people of Israel did a lot of celebrating!

It seems like there were always celebrating something. They celebrated the Passover. They celebrated the crossing of the Red Sea. They celebrated living in tents after the exodus from Egypt. They celebrated when their were victorious over their enemies.

And the thing is, they didn’t do this all on their own initiative. In many (actually most) instances, God commanded them to take time to celebrate.

That tells me that celebration is important to God!

My problem is, I have always found it hard to celebrate.

I find it hard to celebrate the small “victories” because they seem so insignificant.

But I also find it hard to celebrate the big “victories” because it feels like I am making the victory all about me and not about God.

Can anyone else relate to this?

The truth is, my lack of celebration has lot more to do with my own insecurities and other issues than the reasons that I listed above.

A lot of what it comes down to is I have a hard time accepting that what I do is “worthy” of celebration.

That is crazy talk!

What we do is worthy because what we do matters to God.  More importantly, we matter to God so that means what we do matters to Him.
 
Small or big, it is all worthy of celebration.
 
There is so much in life to celebrate and we need to make celebration a regular part of our lives.


Do you find it hard to celebrate?


Check out these conversations!

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23 Comments

  1. Helen says:
    March 3, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Celebration isn’t about patting ourselves or anyone else on the back.. It’s about saying “Yaayyyy!”
    Happy Birthday = Yaaayyy! I’m so glad you were born!
    Merry Christmas= Yaaayy! I’m so glad Jesus was born!
    I lost five pounds =/= but I need to lose 150 more but rather
    I lost five pounds= Yaayy! That’s five pounds less I have to constantly carry!
    I organized my bedroom =/= but the rest of my house is a mess but rather
    I organized my bedroom= now I won’t waste so much time looking for hair do dads, jewelry, socks, nail clippers, whatever…

    When you celebrate, you are not necessarily patting yourself on the back for your own (or even someone else’s) accomplishments, but are happy and looking forward to what the event means. And yes, some people will encourage you with words of praise, such as …

    Good job on this post! It was very brave and kind of you to share your experience with us!
    Helen recently posted..The Idea of Love- Sacrifice- and How it Relates to LentMy Profile

  2. Melissa Brotherton says:
    March 3, 2011 at 7:32 am

    I think celebration is so important! Now I have biblical backing for throwing my husband that birthday party he is reluctant to have each year. :) Thanks, Kevin.

    I do need to work harder on celebrating the small victories, though.
    Melissa Brotherton recently posted..To DoMy Profile

  3. Jay Cookingham says:
    March 3, 2011 at 9:00 am

    I love to celebrate! Having seven kids gives ya plenty of opportunities to do, so it’s a good thing I do. After all, Father God is into celebrating us!

    The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zepheniah 3:17

    Good word Kev!

  4. Jason Vana says:
    March 3, 2011 at 9:27 am

    Great post man!

    I do find it hard to celebrate, but not because I don’t want to or don’t think I should. I find it hard because once I accomplish something, I quickly move onto the next thing, trying to accomplish more.
    Jason Vana recently posted..The Single Man vs The Sewing MachineMy Profile

  5. Mercy says:
    March 3, 2011 at 9:59 am

    You know Jason sometimes I feel I don’t have the right to celebrate when things get too good for me, it’s as if what is going to happen next won’t happen for my good. I guess I still feel scared in spite of the assurance that I’ve been saved. Thanks for your mail.

    Love,
    Mercy.

  6. Rick Salas says:
    March 3, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Thanks for the great post. Something to think about for sure.

  7. Dusty Rayburn says:
    March 3, 2011 at 11:09 am

    We love to Partay! Sometimes we forget to celebrate those things which are most important though.
    Dusty Rayburn recently posted..The Son Returns to the FatherMy Profile

  8. Perry A Davis Jr says:
    March 3, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Kevin, like you I find it hard to celebrate. When I celebrate a victory it seems that I am thinking of self instead of God. Something that I have been doing is studying the Hebrew names for God and when doing the celebration celebrate the essence of that name. The focus seems to shift to his greatness.

    One question is celebration the same as worship?

    Thanks for sharing this post

    Perry A Davis Jr
    Music City USA
    Perry A Davis Jr recently posted..What is the real reason people quit network marketingMy Profile

  9. JasonS says:
    March 3, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    Kevin, first thanks so much for writing a great guest post. Much appreciated! Second, it’s definitely work at times, but I do see the importance of these celebrations. I’m not 100%, but I love to celebrate the big and the little. He’s worthy of our praise for every little and great thing.

  10. seekingpastor says:
    March 3, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    I’m having an easier time of it these days. I used to think about the money being “wasted” or the time being spent so frivilously. Then I realized the importance of celebrations and actually being present during them. It’s gong much better.

  11. Rev. Gerald Collins says:
    March 5, 2011 at 12:53 pm

    God does indeed enjoy a good celebration. He even set-up seven as His feasts to tell of what was to come. I must admit that I do find it hard to celebrate things like my birthday but can find joy in the simplest accomplishments.

  12. William Moore says:
    November 16, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    Weather you eat or drink do it all for the glory of God, I celebrate all the victories that God has given to me. I always celebrate and thankful to him for all the things he has done to my life.
    William Moore recently posted..Natural Remedies For HeartburnMy Profile

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