A note from Kelly King: Who doesn’t love a good celebration? But have you considered the ministry of celebration? I love how Kaye describes what she recently experienced. Whether you are in a season of joy or a season of sorrow, learn to appreciate the various opportunities to celebrate God’s goodness and His faithfulness.
What is the ministry of celebration? Is that even a real thing? Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that a few days ago I saw it in action. Let me explain.
Last weekend I attended a wedding. It was the wedding of a friend who is the daughter of a dear friend. For over 20 years I have done life with this family, and they are like family to me. They love one another deeply and love to celebrate together. This wedding was no exception!
Here is what I saw and heard. There was laughter—the kind that makes you cry, and there were tears—the kind that come from deep joy and gratitude. There was music and dancing, conversation and food, kids and candy. There was celebration! That doesn’t sound unusual for a wedding, I know.
While this family knows a thing or two about how to have fun and make memories, they also know a thing or two about loss, grief, disappointment, and pain.
The writer of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, was considered to be very wise. He wrote this in Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (NIV). This wedding was definitely a time for laughing and dancing. Against the backdrop of loss and hardship, they did just that! Somewhere in the middle of the fun and laughter I sensed something deeper at work—a healing. Not the “now life is rosy” kind of healing, but the kind that offers rest for the soul and one more layer of healing that is in process.
What season are you in right now? Is it a time for weeping and mourning? If so, I am so sorry for your pain. While you hold that pain, may I invite and encourage you to step into moments of celebration as they are offered? With the holidays approaching, there may be increased opportunities to celebrate. Please don’t let your pain or grief isolate you. Say yes. Say yes to the invitation to the ministry of celebration.
Are you the one hosting the party this season? May I encourage you to invite someone who is hurting, grieving, or in pain? Please do not assume they are “too sad” to get out. Please invite them; don’t say no for them. Join the Holy Spirit in providing a layer of healing through the ministry of celebration.
I saw it in action a few days ago. It was stunning. I’m pretty sure the Lord used it to bring a healing layer to my own soul as well!
Kaye Hurta has a Masters Degree in counseling from Liberty University and is a crisis counselor for Women’s Events through Lifeway Christian Resources. Whether speaking, singing, or listening, Kaye’s passion is to help others find intimacy with Christ and soul transformation through the living pages of His Word. Kaye met and married her husband Chris in Austin, Texas in 1987. They have two daughters through the miracle of adoption, Madison and Cami. They live in the Chicago burbs where they are both on staff at Willow Creek Community Church. Kaye is also a contributing author for the Lifeway resource, Women Reaching Women in Crisis.