DO YOU CELEBRATE GOD EVERY DAY?

“Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him!.” – Philippians 4:4 (MSG).

Small children can be human ping pong balls constantly in motion. They can be all over the place, playing non-stop and talking from sunup to sundown; they are often mini-comedians who say things that make you chuckle. They question everything. But the best thing about a small child is his or her ability to celebrate life’s smallest joys.

Do you ever pray and conclude that God is never celebrated enough? Have you ever thought we need to celebrate God more in the most minor and most profound aspects of our lives? We pray and ask God constantly for help, direction, wisdom, and guidance. In addition, we have a reasonably lengthy prayer list. And yes, we praise God, as well.  But if we thought about it, would we conclude that we do not celebrate God enough? Psalm 116:12 (ESV) says, “What shall I render to the LORD for all his benefits to me?”

Take a moment each day to celebrate all “His benefits to me.” Share what God has done and is doing in our lives, giving thanks for who He is. One of the best ways to celebrate is through worship. When the church is gathered together, shouting songs of praise, we can celebrate God together. There is power in community. We need to cultivate friendships and support in our lives that will celebrate along with us. These relationships are the ones that will pray for you, encourage you when you don’t think you can go on, rejoice with you, and mourn with you. And in the same way, we need to be people that celebrate with others.

Start with celebrating in our homes: we love to have any reason to celebrate, whether it be birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or other reasons. Consider how you can celebrate in your home in new and creative ways. Seek out those moments of joy each day and celebrate God’s faithfulness together. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.”

It is hard to celebrate during the storms of life when we are focused on our circumstances. We can forget what God has done in our lives. Grief and lament have a real place in our journey, but celebration can also profoundly impact our lives and hearts. Celebration anchors us in a story that goes much deeper than heartache, loss, and the pain of our circumstances. It’s a story that tells the good news of Jesus and His truth through the storm. Celebration is not dependent on our circumstances but is entirely dependent on Him. It allows us to look back with gratefulness and forward with hope.

God is to be praised and celebrated every day. Moment by moment even. Our lives are busy, and we have schedules to keep, but taking the time to celebrate God brings glory and honor to Him. He is to be praised, worshipped, and celebrated.  Celebrating God’s goodness and faithfulness should be a daily part of our day.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some ways you continue learning today?
2. What are some areas you’d like to learn more about? What plan will help you learn in those areas?