Celebration as Spiritual Formation
All humans relate to the perspective that celebration brings joy. However, joy doesn’t always have to be found in big events like birthday parties, marriages, or travel plans to the highest-rated tourist destinations. Certainly, if that’s how joy was to be fulfilled all the time, it would be costly, occasional, and challenging—and not many of us would be able to cultivate joy. There is certainly a place for those experiences as well. However, the emphasis here is on how we can learn the simplest way of cultivating joy through the spiritual discipline of “celebration,” because it is celebration that is central to all the spiritual disciplines (Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Disciplines: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Rev. ed. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1988, 191).
On the other hand, in our contemporary settings, certain fears and needs can trigger fear, frustration, anger, or negativity about life, which can ultimately hinder our spirituality. Thus, we need to stop, reflect, and believe that our strength is in the Lord. He will protect us from all evil; therefore, we will not be afraid, and we will rejoice in the Lord. Rejoicing and praising God is how we express our joy to the Lord because of His protection. In Nehemiah 8:10 ESV, “for the joy of the Lord is your strength,” the word translated “strength” may more accurately be rendered “fortress” or “refuge,” implying a source of protection. So, the message is that when people rejoice over the Lord, their rejoicing protects them (Andrew J. Schmutzer and Douglas Nykolaishen. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: Teach the Text Commentary Series, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018, 159).
We also need to understand that we cannot neglect to live in obedience to the Scriptures if we want this joy fulfilled in our lives. Foster points out that we need to understand that this joy is found in obedience to Christ, and without this obedience, real joy is hollow and artificial (Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, New York: Harper Collins, 1982, 351).
Therefore, it is encouraged that we work on the first three disciplines of engagement (confession, Scripture reading, and prayer) to cultivate holistic obedience. Then we can celebrate the joy that comes from our spiritual obedience.
Also, we need to learn not to worry too much, because the spirit of celebration will not be in us until we have learned to be “careful about nothing.” We will never have a carefree indifference to things until we trust God, a divine truth highlighted by Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything” (Phil 4:6).
Our spiritual life also relates to how we live our practical life and maintain our emotional well-being. Celebrating with people over coffee, a meal, or a walk is key to maintaining our emotional health, not necessarily with ambition, but simply with the mindset of enjoying the companionship. Celebrating good and noble things with others contributes to our spiritual growth. Also, engaging in physical exercise helps release mental stress. It is very refreshing; it breaks the negative thought patterns of life and helps us achieve the relaxation that is critical for our spiritual progress.
