celebrate
June 25 – Let Them Eat Cake
3:177 – Let Them Eat Cake

#faithbites #faithjourney cake

Setting

This morning while running errands, I ran into an old friend and his daughter who now live out of state. During our conversation, his daughter told me she was going to make dinner for her grandmother’s birthday and her grandfather was providing the cake. While it was great to see them, the idea of cake stayed with me. (I know you are thinking a fat man and his cake. While I do love cake, it wasn’t what I was thinking).

Cake isn’t something we have every day. It is usually only made, or bought, for special occasions. While the cake is good, it symbolizes the celebration or observation of the event. Heck, what’s a birthday party without cake. (And as a disclaimer, my sister-in-law among others, don’t like cake but go with me on this). 

Imagine if we had cake more often or in other words if we celebrated more often. It’s been hard to find things to celebrate lately. Between the non-stop politics, COVID-19, the “what’s coming next on the 2020 Bingo Card”, and just life in general. Personally, I have found myself lacking motivation, passion, and even empathy.  

What if we tried to celebrate more so we could multiply what we have been blessed with and divide that which challenges us?

Scripture
  • Ecclesiastes 3:4 – A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
  • Psalm 118:24 – This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
  • Proverbs 15:15 – All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
Reflection

Dance, sing, and celebrate. But what if you don’t want to? What if there is so much sadness that singing and celebrating seem foreign or alien. First of all, you are not alone. We are with you. Second, scripture tells us that all days are afflicted by evil. Are we going to succumb to it or make our hearts cheerful? 

There are times to be sad, weep, and mourn. We can’t forget, even in the midst of 2020, that there is a time to laugh and dance. Jesus made this day for us. We should be glad in it. No matter how dark a day is, we can find some joy in it. 

I know this isn’t easy. Even as I write these words, they feel a bit hollow. Why? I’m tired, frustrated, and lacking passion. Of all the days, this is when I should have a cheerful heart, celebrate, and reach for the Lord. We can’t change our mood and our life without him. We need to reach out to the Lord, with our hurt, our pain, and ask for forgiveness, redemption, and saving.

While I don’t have cake at home to celebrate, tonight may be an icecream night to celebrate Jesus and his gifts to us. 

Challenge

Ask yourself how you are feeling. Then ask when the last time you celebrated was. If it’s been more than a day, find one reason no matter how small to celebrate. Thank the Lord for what he has done for you. Share that with your friends. That joy will be contagious. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, celebrations seem so far off right now. We can’t gather, can’t have more than 10 people together, need to wear masks, and who knows, besides you, what tomorrow will bring. Your people are scared and hurting. Remind us that you made celebrations for us. You want us to mourn when the time is right, but you also want us to dance, sing, and celebrate.

Give us your strength, your knowledge, and your power to reach up and out to celebrate. We need your presence and your spirit. Let your people sing, dance, and celebrate. In your name, Amen.

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