Reason To Celebrate

As a nation we celebrate certain days throughout the year. As sports fans we celebrate our favorite teams. We celebrate a child’s birth, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. We are people who love a good celebration. We shout and dance with all our hearts. Life is a celebration, with the opportunity to celebrate every day. As we move through a dull, routine day it can be hard to find reason to celebrate. But life is to be celebrated. I had an experience yesterday while getting blood drawn. A lady entered the waiting area. See came in using a walker, an oxygen tank, and the assistance of a gentleman I assumed was her husband. She had an upbeat attitude and spoke with people as she waited. When she left, she threw a kiss to everyone in the room and said “I love you all.” Then she exited the building.

This lady could have been down in spirit but she wasn’t. She was more interested in others than she appeared to be in herself. Her apparent medical issues didn't get in the way of her celebrating. I have no idea about her beliefs or why she was such a celebratory person, but she was. There are moments in everyday life that we can find to celebrate. “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets” (2 Samuel 6:14-15). David, the king of Israel celebrated, and all of Israel celebrated with him. They danced, shouted, and blew trumpets. Why? Because they were bringing up the ark of the Lord. The Ark of the Covenant (also called the Ark of God) was a sacred wooden chest covered in pure gold that served as the physical symbol of God's presence among the ancient Israelites. David and the Israelites were celebrating the presence of God.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (2 Corinthians 6:19-20). As followers of Jesus our body is similar to the ark of the lord. It is inhabited by God’s Spirit. It is God’s Spirit that gives us reason to celebrate. When was the last time you celebrated Jesus? I mean really celebrated with song and dance. Jesus has given us victory over sin and death. He has provided us with eternal life with Him. On top of this He has given us victory in everyday struggles. Everyday over the past 33 years I have woken up sober. That is a reason to celebrate. My children and grandchildren are healthy and all their needs are met. My 87 year old mother is still here with us. I have a loving, supporting family. Yes, I have reason to celebrate. However, the celebration isn’t about what I’ve done myself. I have accomplished more than I would have dreamed in my lifetime. But the greatest of my accomplishments is because of what Jesus has done for me.

You see, our celebration isn’t about us. Our celebration should be about the presence of Jesus in our life. Even on Christmas when followers of Jesus celebrate His birth there is little to no mention of Jesus. David and all of Israel danced, shouted, and blew trumpets because of the presence of God. We have reason to celebrate.