This has been a week for celebrating life. We got to meet our first great grandchild last Thursday – that was a time to celebrate. We have spent the last week with my mother, who is almost 97, and as we reminisce it’s a time of celebrating the many events of her life. My sister had a birthday on Monday and so we celebrated that too and now our nation will have a birthday on Saturday which brings millions to celebrate our freedom.
Celebrate Life!
God has been doing that from the beginning of time. In the garden, at creation, He saw everything that He had created and called it good. Everything, except the creation of man and woman, that He called very good. When creation was finished He took the day off to enjoy what He made and celebrate. (my opinion)
All through the Bible we see people celebrating the goodness and love of God with feasting, singing and sacrificing sweet incense, oil and bread. They were celebrating the life God had blessed them with and the deliverance He had provided.
Heaven celebrates life. The angels in heaven throw a party when someone decides to follow Christ.
“In the same way, it’s a happy time for the angels of God when one sinner decides to change.” Luke 15:10 ERV
One of my favorite parables in the Bible is of the prodigal son. He takes off from his father’s house, spends all of his inheritance then comes home, repentant, with his tail tucked between his legs. What does the Father do? He celebrates life – he throws a party. Our heavenly Father does the same when we return home after wandering off to follow our own desires and schemes!
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and good sandals on his feet. 23 And bring our best calf and kill it so that we can celebrate with plenty to eat. 24 My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!’ So they began to have a party.” Luke 15:22-24 ERV
And when life on earth is over there will be a great celebration in heaven as those of us who follow Christ are seated at the banquet table there.
“Then a voice came from the throne and said, ‘Praise our God, all you who serve him!
Praise our God, all you small and great who honor him!’ 6 Then I heard something that sounded like a large crowd of people. It was as loud as crashing waves or claps of thunder. The people were saying, ‘Hallelujah! Our Lord God rules. He is the All-Powerful. 7 Let us rejoice and be happy and give God glory! Give God glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come. And the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen was given to the bride for her to wear. The linen was bright and clean.’ (The fine linen means the good things that God’s holy people did.) 9 Then the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Great blessings belong to those who are invited to the wedding meal of the Lamb!” Then the angel said, “These are the true words of God.’” Revelation 19:5-9 ERV
We will get to celebrate life with the Giver of Life. What a party that will be!
Join in today and celebrate life – let’s tell our friends and family we love them. Let’s be grateful for the impact they have made in our lives. Don’t waste an opportunity to show and share love.
Celebrate Life!