4:16 – Celebration of Life

#faithbites #faithjourney celebration

Setting

Last night a friend of mine passed from cancer. Her life and service has been and will continue to be a blessing to everyone. Many are having a celebration of her life and her works. I am happy about that and hope to celebrate in my own way.

Her passing got me thinking about life and when we just celebrate it. We gather for births, weddings, and funerals to celebrate life. New life, new chapters, and a life well-lived. What if we celebrated life every day? How would we and our world change if every day was a celebration of what God has given us, of our opportunities to help others, and the lives around us?

What would those celebrations look like?

Scripture

• Romans 14:8 – For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.
• Psalm 34:4-5 – I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
• Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Reflection

When I was searching for scriptures on celebrating life, most of the hits were funeral verses or those that can be used when mourning. That seemed to highlight my point that we often celebrate life through major milestones or at its end.

One thing that COVID has taught us is that we need to celebrate every day of our lives. So many celebrations like weddings, baby showers, reunions, and funerals have been canceled. We haven’t been able to gather to celebrate. While many have found alternative ways, Zoom, social distanced, or limited, have they been true celebrations?

I don’t have an answer for what it should look like or how we do it. The only advice or thoughts I have is to recognize that each day is a chance to live, love, and share God’s word. If we wait until those major milestones, we may miss an opportunity to celebrate someone, to help someone, and to share the love of Christ with them. Let’s celebrate daily and never miss an opportunity.

Prayer

Father God, thank you for the life of service for my friend. She has touched so many and I am blessed to have known her. Help us to keep her memory alive and serve as she did.

Lord, help us to not wait for preordained times of celebration. Let us look at all of our brothers and sisters with love and celebrate who they are, what they are doing, and share you with them. We don’t know how many days we have or what plans you have for us, so help us not to waste time waiting. We ask for your help in celebrating everything you give us and everyone you put into our lives. In your name, Amen.