Somehow, once again, we planned a church meeting for a Thursday night? You guys, I know? But it was a great meeting, throwing out some out of the box ideas on how to better love our City... still, you know I missed y'all over at #fmfparty!
This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: CELEBRATE
Celebrations are often limited in our minds to special occasion events.
We wait... we plan... we tend to go all out, Pinterest-style, when we can... we are intentional in celebrating, whether it be a birthday, a wedding, a promotion, or a job well done.
Celebration normally comes at the end.
I don't know about you... but I know for me, it's often times in the midst of a thing when I am really needing to find a reason to celebrate. In the middle of a hard season, we can believe the lie that darkness overwhelms and that we have no power... no hope... no light within us to dispel the shadows that taunt us.
We don't think we can wait until we get to the light at the end of the tunnel, because - you guys - the tunnel is DARK.
It is heavy and makes it hard to breathe... we are feeling our way around in blackness and we begin to question all the things we once knew for sure, back when we were walking around in the brightness of day.
Here's the thing...
There is ALWAYS a reason to celebrate.
Let's not wait... Let's not think we have to push our way through and claw and crawl our way through to the end before we can have a glimmer of light to lead the way.
That, my friend, is a lie...
It's so often in the darkness that we remember that Light is a Person and the One who is Light walks toward us.
Light is always there... beside us, within us, and always - He is coming for us! His nail-scarred hands stretched out, arms open wide... and if you lean in and adjust your vision, you will see a smile spread full across His face as love and joy and grace and mercy freely spill out in abundance.
Like the prodigal Father, He runs to us.
So can I encourage you not to wait?
Don't wait until the end of whatever it is you are going through to celebrate! Whether this is an amazing season and you are nailing all the things, or it is a difficult season and you are barely getting by... there is always a reason to celebrate... always a reason to sing!
Singing, I believe, sheds light on all the dark corners of our lives and when we purpose to celebrate --to declare Truth louder than the lies, and to offer a sacrifice of praise when we still don't have any answers... when we choose to celebrate even before the end... that is when faith arises and light shines bright and darkness has to flee!
When I first saw "Celebrate" I must admit, my first thought was something like, "Oh man... I've got nothin'. I'm not celebrating much right now." But the Father gently reminded me that there is always a reason to celebrate and that He is pouring out and lighting my way... so this post was preaching to my own self right here!
I'm in the middle of a few things and some days it doesn't feel like I will make it through to the end to celebrate. But God is reminding me --and hopefully you, too!-- that He is our reason. He is worthy of all of our praise and all of our worship and He showers us with blessings and wonder and grace and when we celebrate that, it's just so much easier to see and remember!
And when we remember that there is a reason... and that Truth is a Person... we remember that in the end, He wins --we win! ...and there really will be a celebration like none other!
Of course - as He was speaking to my heart, I was thinking of this song... one of my favorites! Can I encourage you to turn it up, sit back, and sing it out!
All Sons & Daughters, Reason to Sing
Linking up with Kate Motaung and the #fmfparty Community today. Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "CELEBRATE"
Hi Karrilee,
ReplyDeleteI'm stopping over from FMF. I LOVE your place here in bloggy land! Your 5 minutes of words rings so true with me. I totally agree that we can and should celebrate (praise Him) in all things. It's not always easy, we may not always feel like it.... but it's so worth it.
Amen, Debbie! It always is worth it! That is true... (it's just that sometimes we forget!) ;) Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteSo much THIS: "Light is always there... beside us, within us, and always - He is coming for us! His nail-scarred hands stretched out, arms open wide... and if you lean in and adjust your vision, you will see a smile spread full across His face as love and joy and grace and mercy freely spill out in abundance. " I love you friend (That's all!)
ReplyDeleteIt brings so much hope to know that He runs TOWARD us - and no matter what situation we have found ourselves in... He is always so full of love and joy and grace and mercy for us - that is spills out as He runs full speed to embrace us close and pull us up! I love you right back... and that is all! xoxo
DeleteI love this!! Even in our dark or waiting times celebrate! 'm celebrating for no real reason except God is gracious and prompts us embrace these precious moments. Love the light that weaves through your post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so muchm Kathy! I always appreciate it when you stop by, my friend! Celebrating with you - for no real reason except that He is good! That is reason enough and more, right?
DeleteOh my friend, I love your words reminding us that He is our hope and joy. Without Him there is no celebrating.
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen! Thanks so much for stopping by, Amy! xoxo
DeleteHi, I'm visiting from FMF and I'm glad I found your post- it blessed me a lot. I groaned a little when I saw the prompt was "celebrate" as it wasn't how I was feeling at all, but it's true, there is always a reason to celebrate. I loved this line- "when we choose to celebrate even before the end... that is when faith arises and light shines bright and darkness has to flee!" The song is great too- it's not one I'd heard before.
ReplyDeleteOh Carly - I am a little jealous that you got to hear that song for the first time! It has become such a friend to me when going through hard times... it reminds me of the truth in this post - that no matter what, there is a reason to sing... to celebrate... Thanks so much for stopping by!
DeleteOh yes... there is so much power in music and singing and I think we forget, or don't realize, but there is a reason God often sent the worshipers out in the front of the battle! (And how much do I love that you have a "Joy" playlist? So so much!) xoxo
ReplyDeleteAmen and amen! It's not easy to celebrate in the rainstorms, but it's essential to my mental health :). It helps me remember that He's with me ALWAYS--not just when I accomplish something.
ReplyDeleteSo True, my friend! (And I know know KNOW that He will be with us both on Friday!!! Squee! I can not wait!) xoxo
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