Spiritual Benefits of Celebrating
Why do we have celebrations and holidays? When God was establishing the Jewish people with how to “do life”, He included feasts - celebrations and times of remembering what He had done for them. They were days (or several days) to set aside as different from other days. They were holy (where we get the word “holiday” from to begin with) - set apart. Why? To remember what God had done for them.
Why do we need to remember? Because we forget so easily. We get caught up in our regular, daily grind of work and life, and we forget.
Isn’t that the point of celebrating birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas, Easter, and Independence Day (and all the others…)? To remember things that are important? My husband is really good about taking time to remember the early days of our relationship, how God brought us together, and the day of our wedding. Looking backwards doesn’t come naturally to me. I prefer to think about the future rather than the past. But he has taught me the importance of taking time to remember.
As the world seems to be crumbling around us and our own country seems more passionately divided than ever, I find it helpful to remember God’s faithfulness in the past. When I look at an uncertain future - labor shortages, inflation, supply chain issues, divisions over abortion, race, gender, and violence of every type - it’s easy to focus on those things and become fearful and anxious.
However, when I remember God’s faithfulness in the past, both to me personally and to His people in general, it comforts me. No matter how crazy things get, God goes with us and reigns over it all. I would go as far as saying that celebration and remembering is a spiritual discipline.
Here are some benefits to celebrating as a spiritual discipline - why we need to remember:
1. Remembering the past gives us perspective for the future. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our present reality and only see what’s in front of us. Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens our faith that He will continue to be faithful in the future.
2. Remembering leads us to be thankful. Gratitude also keeps our present in perspective. Being thankful keeps us thinking about what is good and positive, rather than dwelling on negative things that we can’t change.
3. Remembering draws us closer to God. What we think about shapes what we feel and how we act. When we’re thinking about God’s faithfulness, it’s an opportunity to draw closer to Him in praise and thanksgiving.
Getting together with friends and family, playing games, and enjoying community together are all great ways to celebrate. Attending parades and fireworks, visiting memorials, and participating in special church services are other options. Whatever leads you to remember and be thankful for God’s faithfulness in the past and give you hope for the future.
What is your favorite way to celebrate and remember God’s faithfulness?