This week we’ve seen MLB teams win their division and clinch the playoffs, which is always an exciting accomplishment.
As I caught the Cub’s celebration of becoming the NL Central champs (after beating St. Louis), I witnessed their satisfaction in having a successful season. A guy was even handing out goggles to all of the players for their locker room champagne celebration!
Knowing their ultimate goal is set on winning another World Series, I was struck by how they embraced the joy of making the playoffs again.
Part of me was thinking they should wait to celebrate until they become repeat World Series Champions, but then I realized how awesome it was seeing grown men go crazy after attaining this goal. Afterall, laughter, high fives, and hugs are hard to beat.
Actually, my opinions regarding celebrations have been recently changing. Although I’ve been one to question kindergarten graduations, 5th place ribbons, and dancing quarterbacks who get a first down, I’m coming to accept that celebrating with a purpose is an awesome gift.
I still think our culture overdoes it a bit when recognizing mediocrity (I don’t buy into participation trophies), but finding reasons to celebrate makes life richer and fuller.
Today happens to be my birthday, which I have always loved celebrating because it gives me an excuse to eat delicious food and be with friends and family. Birthdays are usually filled with fun, so why not take advantage of your one designated day for celebration?
Unfortunately, finding other days to celebrate throughout the year seems to be more difficult with everyone’s crazy schedule. But what if we made the choice to live a life filled with celebration? We could intentionally look for excuses to honor others, gather together, and pause to reflect on the journey…instead of quickly move onto the next thing.
As followers of Jesus, we have much more to celebrate than just closing a deal at work, winning a game, or buying a new house. I love a good housewarming party, but our homes should also be a place for regularly celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness. We should be the most joyful, fun-filled, excited people on the block!
If we stopped living such busy and boring lives, we could really enjoy some laughter, high fives, and hugs. We should be known for having a good time because our lives have been transformed and our hearts made alive.
Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 16:11 (ESV) proclaims, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Today, let’s be challenged to think about God’s love and the many blessings He so graciously gives. When we allow our minds to be fixed on Jesus, we will find endless reasons for celebration. We better start practicing now because spending eternity with Him will be a party that never ends!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray I would live in view of all You’ve done and will do, and that this would give me cause for celebration. Help me to enjoy life, people, and fun as I remain focused on Jesus and the salvation I’ve been given. I pray I’d be known for my joy and gladness. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
