Missing the Celebration

As I sat in worship recently I happened to glance across the sanctuary and I saw a person that looked completely disengaged and withdrawn from what was going on in the service. The facial expression I observed seemed to be  marked by anger and pain.  Knowing the person well and being aware of at least some of the past experiences that were responsible for what I had observed saddened me.

I thought to myself this person is completely missing the celebration that Christ intended to be life giving and life changing.  As I processed these thoughts I began reflecting on an experience I had as a kid when I also missed out on a celebration.  In my case it was not a worship service but a birthday party that was the context. My reason for missing the celebration was not past pain but a complete lack of understanding of what a birthday celebration was all about.

I had never attended a birthday party before so I did not understand when everyone began bringing presents to my cousin and he began opening them. My birthday is a week before Christmas and people do not normally have birthday parties during this incredibly busy season so I was completely unfamiliar with what was happening and why my cousin was the only person receiving gifts.

Finally someone noticed that I was off in a corner and came over to ask me if I was ok.  I told them that I felt sad because I didn’t understand why everyone was giving gifts to my cousin and I was totally left out. I don’t remember if it was my mom or my aunt or someone else that explained to me that this party was  about Merle and not me.  That explanation helped a little and someone else gave me the gift of a dollar bill which I appreciated but I still felt pretty sad and a bit unimportant. I remember wishing that the three or four other kids present would all receive gifts wrapped in pretty paper like my cousin had.  I don’t remember ever reflecting on this experience in all the years that have come and gone since that day but as I unpack it now I wonder if that is why I enjoy giving gifts to others as much as I do.

As I have reflected a little more on this experience the thought crossed my mind that some people go through a lifetime waiting for their day. The day when they are the focus, the day when they receive the gifts, and they are the focus of the celebration. Ultimately, deep inside, we all know we were created to be part of a great celebration. We all know we were made with a need to be included, valued, and loved by God.  The incredible truth is that He has a gift with your name on it.  He wants to throw a celebration centering on you. In fact He says that all the angels of heaven rejoice and celebrate the day you come to faith. Make sure that you don’t miss your day of being adopted into the family of God. Also make sure you don’t miss any of the other days that will follow as He extends the healing power of His love and grace throughout the balance of your life.

I hope my friend that was missing the celebration of God’s presence in the worship service the other day can find the healing of God’s grace once again and be set free from the bondage that is enslaving her. I hope you can find that freedom as well.