Celebrations: Rejoice Openly In Your Accomplishments!
Galatians 6:4-5
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[4] Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, [5] for each one should carry their own load.
Ecclesiastes 6:12
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[12] For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?
Celebrations in general have posed numerous questions to many. Some hold the view that celebrations should be a no-go event so they celebrate nothing.
Wedding anniversaries, birthdays, achievements, successes, promotions etc are not to be celebrated. To them, it is simply “go to church, give thanks verbally to God, ask for prayers and that ends it.”
To these people, celebrations lead to evil and they have ready a verse of scripture to cite in support.
Read the scriptures they put forth ;
Mark 6:21-25
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[21] Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.
[22] When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you.”
[23] And he promised her with an oath, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
[24] She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist,” she answered.
[25] At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Oh oh oh! Their conclusion here is that celebrations lead to evil! So to celebrate is wrong! Instead of learning a lesson from the narrative, “ they throw both the baby and the water away “. Yes!
Meanwhile, the Apostle is teaching/encouraging us to celebrate our accomplishments! Independent evaluation, thought and rejoicing are encouraged as per the above verses!
As the year draws to a close each must evaluate his works and if there is anything that he must celebrate he has every right to do so.
Many have often wondered why some should organise celebrations where they invite friends and neighbors to join them in celebrating their achievements, and not only go to church, give thanks to God and leave it there!
This is an option there are several options, one is what the Apostle recommended
You’ve read what he said ;
“Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone,” To “ take pride in oneself ’” is to be satisfied with what one has achieved!
And when one is satisfied with what he has achieved what does he do if not to celebrate!
It is important to note that he is not doing this to spite somebody, or make a show; again this is stated there “without comparing themselves to someone else,”
Beloved, Celebrate your life’s accomplishments, it’s a gift that God gave you. Solomon said the same;
Ecclesiastes 3:22
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[22] So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?
“To enjoy their work” means to celebrate! Because you only live once you are better off rejoicing and enjoying the rewards of your toil and labor however great or small it is!
The uninitiated sees celebrations as evil and contrary to what pleases God! To celebrate personal accomplishments or not is a matter of opinion and not of faith, so there is no right or wrong about it scripturally!
So, when God blesses you celebrate it, when and how is your choice only balance those invited else you’ll be guilty of discriminating!
Read it;
Luke 14:12-14
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[12] Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.
[13] But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
[14] and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The lesson is “ balance the invitation list “ it should be 50/50, 60/40 or 70/30 It should not be 100% elites.
My thoughts to share as I watch the tendency among professing believers to hide from public view their celebrations! If and whenever God blesses you, celebrate.