As October draws to a close, celebrations are on their way. Celebrations in the Old Testament are reminders pointing to God’s power and enjoyment of the people echoing their awe of their God.
When the Israelites crossed through the Red Sea, they broke into song, recalling and praising God for all the ways he poured out his power for them. (Exodus 15)
When God worked through Nehemiah’s faithfulness to rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, the Jewish people celebrated with choirs. Plural, not one but many. (Nehemiah 12:27-47)
Celebrations that continue generation after generation are hard-won.
The story of Thanksgiving is a story of pilgrimage for freedom to worship the Lord. Making it across the sea to North America and creating a relationship with the inhabitants was no small feat. God was in all the details.
How easy is it to walk down the street and meet a neighbor we don’t know? God can be in those details too.
In the New Testament, we see God’s promise of eternity with him being born through Jesus Christ. His life was not an easy one – hunted from his birth by a king. Over thirty years later, he was turned over to the cross by his own people.
Why would we celebrate the story of a life that battled so much? Jesus was fighting a bigger battle than anyone could see with their eyes. Jesus came to win our souls for the spiritual empire – heaven.
Jesus was born a King, is a King, and will always be King. That is what we celebrate on Christmas day. The King of promise, hope, joy, love, and grace. The very birth of faith.
What do we sacrifice so others can hear about Jesus?
There are other celebrations in life. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and the passing of loved ones, to name a few.
This month of October, my family celebrates my dad’s birthday and our daughter’s birthdays. Our girls were born four years and seven days apart, so it is a busy and much-loved time.
In the mix is another life we celebrate. Ten years ago this October, our unborn son or daughter slipped into heaven instead of our arms.
Celebration, created by God for God, allows the sweetest resound when we know he created a path to his eternal Kingdom.
God, there are so many times to stop and celebrate. Show us the significance of the hard-won remembrances. May the sweetest resound rise up from those times, stirring our faith and sharing it with others. Amen.
What are you celebrating? Please share in the comments so we may celebrate with you.
Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,
Michele Marie Weisman
PS. If you havn’t heard, my magazine artical is now out, EGM Times has several great articals. Be sure to check it out!
Photo by Sofiya Levchenko on Unsplash (balloons)
Oct, I’m celebrating 29 years cancer free. (Feb, 8 years and 3 years cancer free.) As I look at my words, it stings so I’m going to leave it at that and thank God I’m still here.
Gosh, Dianne, I am honored and so touched that you shared this. I am celebrating with you.