Casandra Martin

Reading through my Bible, I keep coming across an interesting command – celebrate. Over and over, God commands His own to be a people defined, shaped, and identified by celebration. We are to celebrate His movement, His timing, His love, His protection, His mercy, and His provision. Psalm 145:7 says, “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

This command has caused me to pause and look hard at my heart. Am I a celebrator? Do my children know that celebrating God’s goodness is going to be a constant priority in our family? Do my friends know that every time we talk, we are going to come around to the marvelous things of God? Do the people I meet through my day walk away with a little bit wider eyes for His movement and His love? Amazingly enough, celebration doesn’t come naturally to us. It has to be rehearsed, practiced, and formed into a habit. But imagine the possibilities if we let celebrating Jesus shape our souls….

Here are three steps to making celebration a holy habit:

1. Notice God’s movement in your day. Keep your eyes open for things to celebrate – blessings, answered prayers, reminders of God’s promises, His fingerprints on your day.
2. Stop and say “thank you.” Express your appreciation and offer your praise to God for His love and presence in your day.
3. Tell someone what God has done for you today. Celebration is meant to be shared. When you share your celebration, it opens your eyes, softens your heart, and multiplies joy in unimaginable ways.

My Jesus Resolution today is to be a celebrator. Celebration has the power to transform my perspective, my priorities, and my prayers. I want my children to have a mom who sees God around every corner, points Him out, and cheers. I want my husband to be encouraged by the way I see God working in him and through him. I want my friends to expect to hear that the best news of the day is the way God is keeping His promises and empowering His purpose in them. Today I am going to celebrate. With all that Jesus has done for me, how can I do anything else?