|
|
|
Celebration at MBMSI |
|
|
I love parties. The countdown to my birthday begins the day after I
celebrate, much to the dismay of my husband and family. Christmas
music is already spilling out of my shared office at the end of the
hall, much to the amusement of certain co-workers who enjoy reminding
me that Christmas isn’t until December. Somehow I manage to find
something to celebrate every month.
Imagine my delight when I joined MBMSI and learned that one of our core values at is celebration. We desire to live for God’s glory by celebrating each others accomplishments and service. From the trivial to the triumphant, we enjoy celebrating together as an MBMSI family.
One of the most exciting events we celebrate in our office is news from missionaries of another person entering into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This week we received reports of two people coming to Christ through the Toyota City MB Church in Japan. Praise the Lord! What a cause for celebration! And we know we join in with the joy of heaven (Luke 15:10) over such events!
This week, our Asian Retreat and Consultation [ASRAC] wrapped up in Phuket, Thailand where MBMSI had the privilege of celebrating our missionaries serving throughout Asia. We are so grateful for the humble, faithful servant leaders God has sent out through MBMSI. Eight church planting teams were present at ASRAC and I have already seen photos and emails depicting the refreshment, encouragement and growth that comes through these types of community based celebrations. Praise the Lord for such incredible teams!
We truly believe that our God is a God of celebration. The Old Testament recounts numerous festivals ordained by God to remind people of His abundance and faithfulness. Often, celebration is a byproduct of worship. When we gather together to remember God’s great goodness in our lives, our eyes lift to the power and righteousness of God. We cannot help but celebrate in response to His restoring, transforming work in our lives (Psalm 145:6-8, Romans 5:11).
Creation allows us to glimpse into the celebratory heart of God as well. G.K. Chesterton once said that “Grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. Is it possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon? The repetition in nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore." I love that. And I think that's the point of Psalm 29:1: Bravo, God, bravo. All the angels shout encore! In awe before the glory, in awe before God's visible power. And so, made in the image of Creator God, we celebrate!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).
Carissa Brey Youssef
|
|