Now is the time ...... To Celebrate

Celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread….. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in that month you came out of Egypt. Exodus 34:18

Birthdays, anniversaries, promotions and other milestones are times for celebration. Are you good at celebrating? I am not sure that I can answer a resounding ‘yes’ to that question for myself. I enjoy celebrating for others but I do find it a little difficult to celebrate for myself. I think I am a bit lacking in that area.

God, on the other hand, seems to be the God of celebration. There were a number of feasts of celebration laid down for the Israelites to observe. In this verse God was asking them to celebrate their time of release from the bondage of Egypt. It was to be a 7 day celebration! This was among many feasts they were commanded to observe; the Feast of Firstfruits, the Feast of Ingathering at the turn of the year, the Feast of Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets and Tabernacles and others. Each denoted a milestone that was to be remembered and celebrated.

When Jesus celebrated the Feast of Passover with his disciples he instituted a new feast that we, his followers, should observe. We call it by various names the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. It was to be in remembrance of his death but also a reminder to celebrate that he is risen and will come again (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). Remembering these things gives us cause for great thankfulness but is also a reminder of the hope that we have that he will come again to receive us to himself. That is certainly great cause for celebration in the darkening days in which we live.

We do have so much to celebrate. We can celebrate our very life and each new day that God gives us. We can celebrate new life in Christ which is his gift to us. We can celebrate the gifts he has give to us, the family and friends we have, not to mention the freedom of worship that is ours. So many things to celebrate if we will take the time to think about them.

Right now you may be struggling with a difficult life situation that overwhelms you, if that is the case then now is a very good time to reflect on your life and God’s goodness and faithfulness in times past. Finding a cause to celebrate will lift your spirits and gladden your heart. God knows that it is good for us to celebrate because thankfulness has the power to overcome a spirit of heaviness, so come on and celebrate or help someone else to do so.

Prayer: Glorious and faithful God I celebrate your great love for me and thank you for the gift of life that you have given to me. Amen