Looking ahead at the calendar for 2024, I found more than a few wild-and-crazy celebrations in store for those who care to participate. Just in January alone, we can look forward to:
- National Cream Puff Day—January 2 (Who thought this was a good idea right after the holidays when so many will be embarking on diets?)
- World Logic Day—January 14 (If only we could fix in one day the irrational and absurd thinking that seems to be increasing these days.)
- National Popcorn Day—January 19 (This one I can get behind!)
- National Blonde Brownie Day—January 22 (If you prefer cream cheese brownies, your day is coming February 10.)
- National Backwards Day—January 31 (Seems like we’d benefit more from honoring evidence of going forward—toward integrity, responsibility, and maturity.)
Didn’t I tell you they were wild-and-crazy observances?
To be honest, we Christians are encouraged to celebrate some wild-and-crazy things—things that make no sense at first glance, like:
Weakness
Too many of us assume we have to be supremely talented and gifted in order to be used by God. But the opposite is true.
God most often chooses ordinary people who’ve emptied themselves of prideful ambition and self-centered motives. They are the ones whom God can fill with himself, who become the ideal showcases for his greatness and glory [1].
Turns out, when we recognize just how weak we are—with our inadequacies, missteps, and fears—we’re actually in the best position to manifest the power of God.
Now that’s worth celebrating!
Meekness
The Hebrew word for meekness suggests “being molded.” The meek are God-molded; they’ve submitted to him and are patterning their lives after him [2]. The meek delight in leaving everything in God’s capable hands.
That may sound unappealing to some, but little do they know: the meek get the most out of life.
For example:
- They view life with joyful gratitude, not disgruntled entitlement
- They appreciate their resources—not for the prestige they offer but for their usefulness
- They don’t harbor envy or jealousy, but genuinely enter into the joys of others
And note what God promises to the meek in Psalm 37:11 (above): an abundance of peace. Isn’t that a happy reality to celebrate?
Servanthood
Not many of this world are interested in the role of servant. But God’s kingdom works very differently:
Every day is a new opportunity to discover what eternal business might be lurking in the ordinary business of being human [3].
Bruce Wilkerson
Yes, there is eternal business in serving others as we:
- prepare meal after meal that keeps the family fed, but also nourishes their hearts with comfort and delight
- perform small deeds of kindness—because they’re woven into the larger expanse of God’s far-reaching grace
- work for the benefit of others and the glory to God—whether anyone notices or not
There is honor in such serving.
Trouble
Now I’ve gone too far, some will say. Celebrating difficulty seems downright sadistic. But consider:
We can take delight in what God will do through the trial.
First, God delights in transforming the black-carbon pressures of our lives into diamonds of radiant beauty, as he chips away at the rough places of our character and the distractions in our lives, allowing the Light of Christ to shine with greater clarity. Such an undertaking rarely happens overnight; it’s a process that takes time [4].
Second, think of those you’ve known or learned about who did shine with the radiant Light of Christ. They undoubtedly faced trouble, yet persevered and triumphed in the end. We too can experience fulfillment as the Light of Christ shines through us to impact others.
Third, while we’re in the midst of the trial, God often brings the sweetest discoveries of himself [5].
These realities also warrant celebration.
The question remains, how will we celebrate? Perhaps with an ancient song:
[1] Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth, Biblical Womanhood in the Home, 67.
[2] Ralph Sockman, The Higher Happiness, 65.
[3] A Life God Rewards, 114, emphasis added.
[4] Joanna Weaver, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, 199.
[5] L. B. Cowman, Jim Reimann (ed.), Streams in the Desert, 143.
Art & photo credits: http://www.pixexid.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pixexid.com; http://www.depositphotos.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org.
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Your breakdown of how the conditions of weakness, meekness, servanthood, and trouble can benefit us as servants of the Lord were very heartening. Thank you, Nancy! 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. It warms my heart to know you found encouragement here!
These Christian attributes are all things we should celebrate daily, Nancy, even the troubles that allow us to rely upon God all the more. What a great reflection for us in these uncertain times! Also, I can certainly stand behind National Popcorn Day. 🙂
Blessings!
Perhaps in reviewing all the benefits of challenge and trouble, we’ll be in a better frame of mind and spirit to reap them. / I’ll look forward to celebrating Popcorn Day with you!😁
A great post Nancy. I’m not sure I’m capable of those odd celebrations unless I’m holding the savior’s hand. Only in God’s close presence does this seem to work for me…I’m talking experiences here. When it happens, the world’s problems seem small next to God.
You’ve got that right, Gary. It’s only with Christ’s strength coursing through our spiritual veins that we can embrace weakness, grow in meekness, excel as servants, and count it all joy when we face trouble. I’m still on the learning curve myself!
There is no mystery in the person God wants us to be and the life he wants us to live. We should be thankful for this understanding since, as you say, it is the way to the Light and the Truth.
And the list of benefits and blessings he provides is LONG when we live his ways. It’s so foolish to resist! (Talking to myself here!)
Nancy, I’m penciling in Jan 22, 2024. : )
Thanks for the quirky teaser, unexpected set-up for kingdom truth. I need the reminders!
I need the reminders too, Laurie. That’s why keeping a blog is good for me–constant review of biblical truth keeps me encouraged to choose God’s ways. / May your Blonde Brownie Day be delicious, my friend!
Excellent post! There is joy and honor in serving others! Also, God’s love shines through in both the good times and the bad. We pray for strength at all times, knowing that God sustains us day to day.
Amen, Linda! I hate to think where I’d be without my Heavenly Father’s sustaining power and influence in my life! “Oh for grace to trust him more” as they old hymn expressed. (Maybe you remember it: “‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”)
We followers of Christ are a “peculiar people,” as scripture says. You have very clearly shown why. And what a joy it is to be so strange in the eyes of the world while being so blessed and loved by God. Thank you, Nancy!
And thank YOU for the thoughtful summary, Patty!
This is some of the wisdom the so called “prosperity gospel” omits.
You’re right, Anna!
Nancy,
Seeing the Lord work through challenges is what we all want. Crumbling and falling apart isn’t faith at all.
Thanks, Gary
We can avoid a lot of crumbling and falling apart if we renew our minds and strengthen our hearts with scripture. (Lord, keep me mindful!)
Yes. He’s the only way in days like these.
Indeed he is!
This is a wonderful post, Nancy. I’m afraid that rejoicing when trouble comes is daunting to me, but I know He leads me through it with my hand in His. I especially appreciate the songs of Stuart Hamblen: “It is No Secret”, “How Big is God”, “These Things Shall Pass”, “Until Then”, “Teach Me, Lord, to Wait”. I remember singing “Open Up Your Heart” in the church kiddie choir when I was about four. I still have the sheet music. I was in front singing the verse, then the choir chimed in for the chorus. I so look forward to meeting Stuart Hamblen in Heaven some day. And a bonus is that he and I share the same birthday! Sorry for digressing a bit; I have a habit of that.
It’s always good to have an uplifting song at the ready! Sounds like you have a number of them, Cheri! One that often comes to my mind is also from our childhood days: “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord Forever.” Then I try to name the mercies evident in the moment. That’s not to say I’m chortling with joy in the midst of trouble! But when we fight with gratitude and joy against anxiety, depression, discouragement, and hurt, we do fare better. Like other matters of spiritual growth, it’s a learning curve. I’m still working my way up!
Nancy, those celebration days are a hoot and a holler–especially that cream puff day right after Christmas and the New Year. I truly value your choice of “celebrations”, as God sees them–not as the world sees them. I love the contrast between what He sees as valuable–especially that God-molded heart–and what the world sees as valuable. We are indeed uniquely different by design. Thanks for these great insights.
“Different by design” is another aspect of our identity in Christ that’s well worth celebrating, Dayle. Thank you for adding that to the conversation!
So true, Nancy…it’s our choice to look at the glass half empty or half full…when we trust Him, no matter the circumstances,we bring Him glory..the YouVersion verse of the day was from John 16:33 today, which goes right along with reading your post!
You’re right, Alicia: John 16:33 IS a relevant verse to this post. What a glorious reality that Christ’s peace can permeate the thickest cloud of trouble and calm our hearts!
❤️
We are indeed ‘… a peculiar people’. We don’t mourn as others do and we joy in different things. The world glories in self- we warned not to. Thank you for the reminder that we are called out of….to be different.
You’re welcome, RH. We are different indeed as God brings many positive aspects to our lives–aspects that may seem unimportant or even undesirable to the world. But I for one can’t imagine life without his help, strength, influence, and more. I know you feel the same!
I certainly do!
‘We can take delight in what God will do through the trial.’
Yes, yes, Nancy! I’m so grateful for how He redeems our pain … often this delight comes after the trial is over, not right in the middle of the trauma, the mess. But that’s ok. He loves us anyway. He remembers our frailty.
I’m so grateful.
Yes, we’re usually in a better frame of mind to take delight in what God has accomplished through trial AFTER the trial is over. I’m remembering a young man I knew years ago whose father died of cancer and not long after, his sister died in a car accident. After the second tragedy he said, “I wonder what God wants to teach me through THIS?” His attitude often comes to mind when much smaller tragedies occur in my life. I want to recognize the redemption of my pain even while going through it. I’m still learning!
A blessed testament to how God encourages our faith with each daily step. Our steps discover the purposes behind His divine plan. Thank you Nancy.
You’re welcome, Richard. I’ve kept a journal of God’s faithfulness to our family since 1983 so I can vouch for that first statement in particular. Over a 1500 “steps” are recorded, providing much encouragement!