Celebrating Well

Being a Cincinnati Bengals fan for most of my life, I did not have much reason to celebrate. The team had not won a playoff game since 1990 and could only manage an average of six wins a season between 1990-2020. Then came 2021, and the Bengals somehow made it to the Super Bowl. Despite the loss in the game itself, it was lots of fun to celebrate something so rare as a Bengals Super Bowl bid. I had loads of friends joining in the celebration as well, which made it so much better.

Finding victory is awesome. But there is something special about being able to celebrate that victory. One of the important ways to achieve the unity as a team that Jesus spoke of is to celebrate together. When you win a big game, when one of your teammates or coaches achieves a milestone, when a player finishes well and is ready to head to the next new thing, these are all reasons to get together and have fun. And it can show God to others. 

During His prayer in John 17, Jesus says this: 

“’I have given them the glory you have given Me, so that they may be one as We are one. I am in them and You are in Me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.’” -John 17:22-23

In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables: the Lost Sheep (vs.4-7), the Lost Coin (vs.8-10), and the Prodigal Son (vs.11-32). Each of these parables has some shared elements:

Victory – A shepherd loses one of this 100 sheep, but he finds it. A lady loses one of her precious silver coins, and turns the house upside down and finds it. A gentleman has one of his sons collect his inheritance and spends it all, only to return home again.

Joy – The shepherd joyfully carries home the sheep. The lady excitedly calls her neighbors. The father runs to his lost son when he sees him down the road.

Rejoicing Together – In each parable, they call their friends together and rejoice over the finding of what was lost. 

Celebration, especially for the follower of Christ, should always be done from gratefulness and joy and praise to Him.

Through biblical celebration, we can:

Offer A Sacrifice of Praise 

“Therefore, through him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.” -Hebrews 13:15

Proclaim His Goodness 

“Give thanks to the Lord; call on his name;
proclaim his deeds among the peoples.” -1 Chronicles 16:8

Be Glad and Trust the Lord 

“I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely.” -Psalm 16:8-9

These verses are just some of Scripture that remind us our celebration should come from a sincere joy in our hearts for the work of God through His Son Jesus. Our excitedness over being forgiven should reflect the love of the Lord to the world. Jesus’ work on the cross is a victory, a victory God accredits to us who repent and trust in it. His forgiveness of our sins is a victory. Therefore, we should always be celebrating. And when we gather together in joy and thankfulness, it is all the sweeter because we’re celebrating as God designed us to do so. 

It is okay to create a culture of celebrating victories, even if it is a small one. If you’re a coach, celebrate your athletes’ successes; they will see the model and celebrate with each other. If we constantly just point out the flaws or areas of improvement, joy will get squashed under the burden that sport can become. If you’re an athlete, thank your coach for helping you to improve. Pat a teammate on the back when they score or make the big play, or even pass a test that was really hard. These types of intentions will infuse joy into others.

The end of John 17:23 says, “… that the world may know You have sent Me and have loved them as You have loved Me.”

Remember, when we celebrate with others for a victory or achievement or a strong finish, we are loving and serving them by joining them in their joy. That will create a bond that is hard to break, and it is in a community of love and service that God is most reflected. 

LIVE IT OUT: 

“’He must increase, but I must decrease.’” -John 3:30 

Question: How can you offer a sacrifice of praise today? 

Challenge: Choose a teammate and do the spotlight drill: speak words of life and encouragement.