We are going through very hard times in which nobody feels like celebrating anything with this pandemic killing people, dictators doing away with their people’s rights while the world turns their face the other way to not see what’s going on, people in power who can’t differentiate what’s good or bad, famine which terminates people’s lives, all kind of terrorists who are doing great at their scaring people who are vulnerable to anything that paralyzes them. And that’s how we feel: terrified; scared stiff of going out and being with other people, or going anywhere at all. And what’s happening? The Adversary (or whoever represents him) is simply sitting in his recliner laughing at all of us while we are dying of horror. We cannot give in to his tactics for if we do, we lose. I am NOT saying we should go crazy and behave carelessly, No. We just should observe all the precautions but don’t panic at all. All of what’s going on is part of the life we choose to live and what we let the evil one get away with. And we do this when we do not follow the directions that Jesus taught us in His word. He said: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13.34) And, what does “love” have to do with “fear”? Well, most of the good things we do when we want to imitate Jesus, we do out of Love, and when we love, we do not hate, or feel envy or practice any of the deeds of the flesh. (Galatians 5.19-21). Because, when we truly love, we are not afraid of anything as John said in his first letter: There is NO FEAR in Love, but perfect love cast out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is NOT perfected in love. (I John 4.18) To me, it means that if I love my neighbor as I do myself (golden rule) I will not harm anyone and if they harm me, they must deal with my heavenly Father: “Truly I say to you, to the extent you did it to one to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” (Mathew 25.40b)
We must be moved by love and not by fear. We have many more good things to celebrate than we have to mourn about. Why? Because we messed up and sinned, but our merciful Father came to our rescue sending His only begotten Son Jesus so we would not have to pay for it and die eternally, by just believing in Him. And everything that happens to us is for our own good (Romans 8.28); even death. Death is the sudden help for the suffering ones (when it comes from God, though.) Did you know there will be a time when people are going to wish to die and won’t be able to? I think that is scarier than death itself. But I don’t want to be afraid so I choose to give thanks to Christ and celebrate everything.
Life is beautiful, like the guy from that movie said, and the best thing is that He gave us free will to act, yet if we do not act well and make mistakes that may cause damage, our Creator can forgive us if we repent, and that is called GRACE: For by Grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. (Ephesians 2.8-10)
We should celebrate, and by that I mean to be thankful for, every new day we are able to live and solve problems for ourselves and others, because whatever we do to help others is a credit in our assets sheet in heaven. It will NOT save us if we do not believe, but if we do, it will count, just like the bad deeds count against those who serve the Adversary. We should celebrate the Sun still shines, the rain falls, and that we can breathe air and sing and dance. We can smile when we see and hear something funny, and when we see or hear something sad, we can pray for blessings for that person and our heavenly Father hears us because He knows us; we are good friends and talk to each other every day.
If you follow my page every month, you probably know about the cancer my youngest daughter had. I told you about it back in Nov. 2020. Well, she was operated, finally, of her lung where it started and she’s doing great so I am celebrating that and thanking all of you for your prayers. We would’ve not been able to celebrate without them. I am also celebrating my 70 years of life and thanking God He has been able to use me for His purpose. That was one of my life’s dream since very young. My mother and my father, both, invested on that for which I’m thankful today.
Every time I hear bad news in which so many are hurting because of the bad people who don’t care to love one another or learn of Jesus’ gospel I am sad and pray for them so they can be saved. But, somehow the Holy Spirit cheers me up and make me happy.
When my father celebrated his 60 years of a medical career (and still working) I dedicated him part of this Psalm I love:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord. And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (PSALM 1.1-3)
My father lived 97 years with no pain. My mother in law also lived to 97. I could serve them both to their last minute and I celebrate that too.
God blesses us when we love and celebrate.
