May: the month of Celebration

Webster defines celebration as something special, enjoyable, commemorating an important event or occasion – or to praise someone. It is our remembrances such as – Communion, School’s out for children, Graduations, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Birthdays, Weddings, Vacations and so much more that comprise the month of May.

I remember Pastor Chuck Swindoll speaking on the value of “extravagant celebrations”, like Mary’s pouring costly perfume over Jesus and Jesus washing the feet of the disciples before the Last Supper.   He went on to share that be they extravagant or simple, celebrations offer us a way to honor God – as we focus on others.

Jesus not only celebrated events given to the Israelites by God the Father, He also participated in many smaller celebrations, modeling how we find meaningful celebrations of our own that will give honor to God.

 The engagement Period that precedes a wedding is often a non-stop celebration with dating, parties etc. Weddings themselves are a celebration of the wonderful gift that God gave to man and woman in marriage and cleaving to one another. For most, the months and years following the wedding, marriage celebrations seem to fade and “dating” one another tends to stop as we settle into the things of life. Why is that?

 We have so much to celebrate every week of the year with each other. We can and should celebrate the major events of life – the cultural and family things – but also those in our marriage like a regular “date” night with your spouse, the simple return home of a spouse after a trip, having each other to turn to after a difficult day, completing a longstanding item on his or her honey-do list, paying off a credit card, working through a disagreement, good job review, the completion of a simple or major goal that God brought to fruition. Intentionality in choices and actions is crucial.

  I believe every moment in life gives us choices, and the one we choose either brings us closer to Christ, or will push us away from Him.

 We have Jesus and we have our spouse. Most of us also have careers, family and friends, and participate in Kingdom work. All of these provide grand opportunities for celebrations – small or large – simple or extravagant. An ata-boy from a boss, a returning prodigal son or daughter, a promotion or raise, a good report from the doctor, seldom-seen family or friends arriving or departing, a good report card, even a good grade on a test, seeing spiritual growth in a child-all these are worthy of celebration. Instead, most of us reserve any recognition and celebration to birthdays, anniversaries or holidays and choose to focus daily on the mundane or the perceived or real negatives that surround us.

 Above all then, we give praise to God as we follow 1 Corinthians 9:23 (“…doing all things for the sake of the gospel”) and celebrate the journey, the experiences and having the blessing of our spouse or event to celebrate in our lives. Such praise not only brings us closer to Christ, but to our husband or wife as well.