Let's Celebrate
Celebrations aren’t just nice, they are vital! Celebrations remind us of experiences or achievements that have a significant impact, and they have a way of shaping a culture. Whether it’s a workplace or a family, that which is celebrated begins to reinforce behaviors. It is difficult to fake and if we evaluate what we celebrate our values rise to the surface.
It sounds a bit silly, but I’ve grown up in a family that values sports. Not to the extent of unhealthiness but a genuine appreciation for competition. I can hear it now, “Winning isn’t everything but losing is nothing!” God helps me to keep it in check (mostly by humbling me!), but a love of sport has passed to our children. Why? Because it’s celebrated.
Celebration naturally flows out of what we value! For anyone who desires to impact the next generation spiritually, we must remember this principle. What we celebrate has a profound impact on their pursuit of Jesus.
When we step into another culture, it can be easier to identify that culture’s values based on what is being celebrated. That’s certainly the case cross-culturally but it’s also true stepping into the culture of a different home, church, or workplace. Culture is simply the agreed upon behaviors and patterns that bring people together and it occurs on a microlevel and macrolevel. A small workplace has a distinct culture and so does a nation. Culture is the fabric that keeps people together.
From my outsider view, I was able to see what was celebrated within various cultures during a recent trip to Chad, Africa. Some on a macrolevel and others within a particular church or family structure. It made me think, what if someone from another country or background observed our workplace, church or family? What values would they identify through what is being celebrated?
As we celebrated Easter this past Sunday, I had this framework on my mind. As a pastor, I can often focus on attendance or other measurable metrics, but this year I was genuinely excited and ready to celebrate. Celebration isn’t automatic for me. There are challenges that come with any leadership and church is no different. Leading transformation and change can be hard. It’s easy to let challenges distort our opportunity to celebrate. And celebration is so good for the soul!
This Easter, I saw so many people showing up excited to make a difference. There was enthusiasm from the parking lot, to serving coffee, to serving in kid’s ministry! As I walked the building, I saw so many excited people serving! And I saw numerous people eager to connect with others. It’s very natural to gravitate toward our established relationships and I saw so many new connections! That is a special thing! I praise God for it!
Easter was so much fun! There’s something to not taking ourselves too seriously. Look at me! God has a sense of humor! There was a depth to celebrating Easter, but it didn’t negate our joy in having fun.
I’m thankful for the culture God is continuing to create in the places I serve. A healthy culture is the foundation for impact in any organization. And every individual has an impact on the culture. If we want to enact change, consider that which is being celebrated. Celebration both reveals and reinforces our values.