March 3, 2008 

Let's Celebrate

     All creation celebrates in one way or another. I have to laugh when I see how our cats, Princess and Buddy, celebrate after their breakfast and a fresh drink of water from the nearby wet spring. Princess is so happy just to be alive, fed and loved that she takes a romping spell. She scrambles up a tree, charges out on a limb, then turns and scrambles down, then up a new limb, over and over. Sometimes she runs crazy circles around and around the yard. Buddy, our big tom cat celebrates by doing some serious stalking. He hurries out to a patch of high grass, crouches down and stalks anything that moves, be it a blowing leaf, a critter or whatever. Sometimes he brings a mouse or mole and lays it at Emory's feet. Two cats, two individual ways to celebrate. 

     Often I have watched the reaction of the fans at a football game, and when it's my team that's winning, I celebrate along with every one else. Some fans make a lot of noise, like shouting, clapping their hands, jumping up and down, sharing high fives. Others will just put on a smile that stays for awhile. Some will make it a point to congratulate the team, or thank the coach. But every fan will respond in some way to the victory.  Two kinds of fans; those who respond noisily and those who respond quietly.  

      Listen up folks. God's people have won the greatest victory of all times when we become a Christ follower. So how do we celebrate? Everyone is different and God loves variety. Noisy worshipers shout, clap their hands, dance, and sing lively songs while quiet worshipers show up for church every Sunday with a smile on their faces, share their blessings, sing songs with enthusiasm, greet and encourage the other members of the team(church family), and thank the coach (pastor). Same worship, just two different expressions. The important thing is to CELEBRATE, because when we celebrate we tell the world, "I'm a winner! I'm a winner."

    Dear God, please help us to never let the cares of this life rob us of our celebration, and since celebration is another way to worship, may we always take every opportunity to celebrate the victory of the Cross in spirit and truth. John 4:24