I can't recall how long ago my twin sister began hosting "Praise Parties", but we've been marking our calendars with these events for several years. As an extended family, we come together to celebrate the Lord. Each attendee arrives prepared to give testimony to the goodness of God in their life. Some read scripture. Others share a God-story. The musical members might raise their praise through song. We sing. We celebrate. We rejoice. We pray. We enjoy a meal together. We eat cake and ice cream and lift high the name of Jesus. We assemble to purposefully remember and honour Him.
Scripture is filled with celebrations. The Lord desires that His children take time to think and thank. We need to pause and ponder the wonder of who God is and express gratitude for all He has done. Festivals were God's idea and His word has quite the schedule of events to commemorate all His activity and to anticipate all He is yet to do.
Leviticus 23 speaks of the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the celebration of the First Harvest, the Festival of Harvest, the Festival of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Festival of Shelters. These each were not just one day set aside, but weeks of intentionally shifting focus to the Lord. God's call to these purposeful parties was more than food and fellowship. They each realigned His children's thoughts drawing their attention back to Him. In doing so, their hearts were encouraged in the remembering and reignited to keep trusting the Lord to provide as they moved into unknown days ahead.
It's clear that God values celebration and He knows we need it. I believe we must rediscover the richness of God's calendar. We have to be deliberate in assembling to arrest our thoughts from the cares and chaos of life and make breathing space to anchor our hearts in the faithfulness of God, reaffirming our trust and love to Him.
Regardless of current circumstances, there is always reason to praise. Yes, some days the clouds overhead can make things appear bleak. Disappointments, heartache, fear and loss will threaten to steal our joy. Our very emotions can block our vision of who God is and all He is doing. The enemy will attempt to bury God's character and activity deep in our memories. It's vital that with determination we resolve to meditate on His greatness and goodness.
Why not start today! Even if you're all alone, throw a personal praise party! I'm sure it will involve a little ice cream!
1 comment:
A praise party! What a beautiful tradition!
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