SEASONS OF CELEBRATION

“And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be MERRY” – Luke 15:23-24

As the year gradually rolls over, God is calling us into SEASONS of CELEBRATION. God’s people in the Old Testament celebrated with regular festivals. Here we read the account of one of Jesus’ greatest stories, a huge celebration, when the prodigal son returned and the father literally said, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate” (v.23). Our Father-God is not against us taking time to celebrate for good reasons. Rather, it is a selfish, rigid, religious mentality that wars against the spirit of celebration! God wants to fill our hearts with joy, and usher us through repentance, from dullness and death to excitement and life. Most importantly, the Father’s heart rejoices over each person who returns to Him from a season of rebellion. If your heart is like God’s, you too will rejoice when a sinner returns to the Father: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (v.10).

Jesus’ parable about the prodigal son is as much about the older son who remained, as it is about the wayward son or the loving father. Year after year the older son laboured for his father, waiting for a future reward. He had seen the misery his brother’s rebellion had caused their father. Yet when his brother returned, the older son did not rejoice with his father: “So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends” (v.29). He felt no pleasure in seeing his father joyful. His concern was for himself and the unfairness and injustice he perceived he’d been dealt. He totally missed the blessing of celebrating with his father.

It is possible to serve God month after month and year after year and yet have a heart that is far-off from Him. One might be one of the most diligent workers in the church and yet be filled with bitterness because others do not share his or her load. You can become so engrossed with spiritual efforts that when God works miracles in the lives of those around you, you cannot rejoice. If you serve the Lord out of duty or habit, but not out of joy and gratitude, you will feel like a victim. You will envy those who are experiencing joy in the Lord while you feel weighed down by the work you are labouring over. This is not the abundant life the Father has planned for us. Come to the celebration, spend time with the Father, and share in His joy!

To pause, reflect, and celebrate is a vital part of any productive process. It’s great to look back over past battles, challenges, victories, and successes, and celebrate them. We should pause and take some time in dedication and celebration, as we prepare to step into new phases of life, such as the New Year. Sometimes we can be so driven in pushing forward that we forget to stop and celebrate what has been. Of course, we really don't have to wait until momentous events to celebrate. Every day holds a moment worth celebrating. Every time something significant happens we ought to take some time to celebrate. This reflects a true heart and attitude of gratitude.

Always leave room for rejoicing. Never sever celebration from your life. Each day before you drift into sleep, why not reflect through the day in your mind and thank God for moments that may have seemed insignificant to others but have brought cause for celebration for you? Be thankful for each and every day. Learn to rejoice for the successes of others. Enjoy your God-ordained Seasons of Celebration, including times of laughter and fun; periods of playing, picnicking, singing and dancing; and seasons of worship and thanksgiving – all to the Glory of the Lord.