Trees of Mamre

It may seem odd that we are suggesting that throwing a party can be a spiritual act. But, nonetheless, that is just what we are doing. The reasons are clear.

God mandated that Israel celebrate as a nation at least three times a year with a national party. They called them Feasts. But they were just big parties; lots of eating, drinking, singing, dancing, telling stories to each other and celebrating God, family and friends.

Jesus came and framed much of his ministry as an expression of a banquet (a party; used twenty times in the gospels) and taught most of his deepest truths to persons at parties. Let’s not forget that His ministry began at a party—the wedding in Canaan.

One of my professors at Eastern Mennonite Seminary wrote, “Much of Jesus’ ministry, both before and after his resurrection, took place at the table. Most striking is how ‘wildly inclusive’ he was in the companions he chose. When Jesus ate and drank with ‘sinners,’ he did so with clear intent to extend shalom to outsiders. When he fed the hungry, he demonstrated the very present goodness and justice of the reign of God. Jesus’ table practices were inseparably linked with his mission to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind. The early church continued Jesus’ table practices in their community gatherings, frequently ‘breaking bread’ together, welcoming outsiders who were drawn to the goodness of life in Christ. And as they participated around the Lord’s Table, they remembered Jesus’ death and celebrated his living presence made known to them in ‘the breaking of the bread.’”

When we invite persons to a party we say, “We value you and are interested in knowing you for who you are and not for what we can get from you.” Throwing a party is a culturally acceptable way to express gratitude to God (we are sharing out of the abundance we feel we have received from God) and to be hospitable to our neighbors (the second greatest commandment). Is it any wonder that God mandated the Israelites to throw parties often so that they could remember and practice these two important parts of our faith?

So what should you do? Throw a party as a spiritual practice. Some ideas follow:

1. Think of people that you appreciate. Invite them to your home for a meal. It is simple. But intentionally invite one or more persons that you might not normally invite and that may not be known by the others.  By doing so you are showing them the hospitality and love of God. You are also foreshadowing what the Kingdom of God will be like. Everyone gets invited to the table.

2. Some people regularly throw parties for their immediate family. But suppose you threw a party for your neighbors.

3. Is there someone that you know at church that may not have a large community around them? Could you choose to use your birthday to throw them a party? Or something like that?

4. Consider looking at Sunday morning worship and Wednesday Night Out as a party where we celebrate God and each other. What might change if we came to church with that type or attitude?

Richard Foster, in his classic Celebration of Discipline, has an entire chapter dedicated to the spiritual practice of Celebration. He begins, “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ.” I could not agree more.

The Scriptures give us a picture of a Jesus who knew how to celebrate God, life and relationships. So much so that he was accused, not of being a prude, as many of us might, but of being a glutton and a winebibber. “The joy of the Lord was His strength” (Neh. 8:10), and so it should be for us as we too seek to continue the ministry of Jesus.

So to continue the ministry of Jesus we must celebrate. But what shall we celebrate? And how do we do that?

First, we must celebrate those things that are worthy of celebration. The Jews had a few things that were celebrated every year at certain times of the year. They were celebrations that incorporated all the people—the entire nation. Those celebrations were birthed out of joy and fostered strength for them as a people. Celebration made them strong enough to make it through times that were often hard.

What were they celebrating? What, too, should we celebrate?

1. That they were a free people

2. That they were a people that chooses to follow God’s Spirit

3. That God would always provide for them

4. That they had each other

All of these are things that we celebrate because they are a result of the powerful and transformational work of God. There is no joy in celebrating things that should not be celebrated. We do not celebrate evil. We also should not pretend to celebrate when there is brokenness and pain in our relationships in hopes that somehow a celebration will make it all better. No. True celebration comes when broken lives are redeemed by God, which naturally sparks celebration. Genuine celebration comes, too, out of obedience to the ways of God that rebuild our lives in restorative ways. Without these our celebration is hollow.

How then do we celebrate?

1. By releasing our cares and trusting in God is a first step

2. By setting our minds on the things in life that are true, honorable, just, pure and gracious (Phil 4:8) is a second.  i.e. By allowing ourselves (and others) to focus on the good in our lives that we can celebrate.

3. By singing, dancing and shouting. Be loud. Noise is okay in celebration.

4. Laugh. At yourself. At wholesome jokes. With others.

5. Applaud creativity and the arts. Relish creation and the created.

6. Highlight small accomplishments, along with the big ones, of others.

7. Take advantage of local cultural events.

8. Throw a party

There is nothing more refreshing to watch than children at play. The giggles and carefree energy of little ones running through the grass and frolicking in the sunshine is literally contagious. Within minutes our hearts are enlivened and a smile has made its way across our lips. Children at play touch a very deep part of our souls, awaken us to hope and bid us to enjoy this life we have been given.

Have you ever reflected on the fact that our play is an act of celebration to God? Play in and of itself is an act of freedom, vulnerability, creativity and joy. The opposite is also true. We cannot play if we are in bondage, guarded, exhausted and sad. The prophet Isaiah writes about the kingdom of God in 11:8, “The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.” In other words, the kingdom of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ will be a place that we will feel safe enough to play and fully enjoy God’s creation. Jesus himself said, “Let the little children come to me, for such is the kingdom of heaven” and “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Clearly, there is something about the innocence of a child that teaches us about the kingdom of heaven. Children at play are a tangible manifestation of God’s kingdom… a kingdom of trust, peace, joy, safety, creativity and life.

Why then, do we as adults have such a difficult time playing? Certainly we have been taught in our educational systems to be analytical, to refrain from joyful outbursts, and to quench our creative spirits that are “inappropriate” in the grown up world. Just think about the decline of the arts in our school systems and the limited ways our children can learn. We have been taught over the years that play does not belong in our adult world. Perhaps we have forgotten how to play. Perhaps our inner child has been wounded over the years and we have become callous. Maybe we have allowed ourselves to become the guardians of our own lives and overly responsible for things that only God can ultimately provide. These are some of the reasons we find it difficult to relax, be vulnerable and find joy in one another and God’s creation.

When we play, we say to God that we love Him, we trust Him, and that we are enjoying all of His goodness. We allow ourselves to delight in God and He in us. So, what does it look like for us as adults to play? How can this become a meaningful celebration of God’s work in our lives?

Practice

1. Look over some old photos of yourself as a child at play. Allow yourself to remember what it felt like to play. Notice how you feel as you reflect. Ask God to help you recover the joy and vitality you once experienced at play. Invite God to give you a playful and innocent heart.

2. Take a few moments to remember where your favorite places to play were as a child. What was special and unique about these places? Are there any places in your life now that help you enter into a place of joy, safety and delight? Try taking a prayer walk or sitting in one of those places.

3. Take some time to play with your children, grandchildren or neighbors. Allow them to teach you something about play. Affirm them for their ability to play and enjoy life. Tell them that God wants us all to be like little children at play.

When our daughter graduated from high school, one of the gifts she received was a journal—a “Counting my Blessings” journal. Each page was exactly the same:  lines of white space  to remember and record five things to be thankful for each day. The purpose of the repetition was painfully clear, but I was skeptical! Could gratitude be nurtured as a spiritual practice by simply filling this journal?

At the top of each page was additional incentive. These words by David Steindl-Rast were printed over and over throughout the journal:  “Love wholeheartedly, be surprised, give thanks and praise. Then you will discover the fullness of your life.”  Steindl-Rast is a Christian monk from Elmira, New York who has written Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. It has become a classic on prayer and gratitude.

All prayer is essentially an act of gratitude. Even the prayer of petition, implying that God’s will be done, is an expression of our utter dependency on God’s mercy. Developing awareness also leads to the grace that awaits us in everyday life. When we bless things simply because they are, we live life in its fullness.

Within a very pragmatic world, we are called to useless praise. In the midst of violence, hatred, and war–when we move toward gratitude, joy and peace can be realized in our hearts. Let an inch of surprise become a mile of gratefulness. If you have difficulty stopping to notice God’s surprises, spend time with a child. Their curiosity and delight will help you notice what you have overlooked or taken for granted.

During a difficult time in my life when I was struggling to recover joy, my wise spiritual director encouraged me to notice all the beauty around me. Whether I was driving or walking, I was to pay attention to the scents and visual gifts on my path. To let myself be nourished by them so that my heart was moved to gratitude and away from self-absorption. What a welcome breeze it was to slowly experience grace-filled living again.

Gratefulness also cultivates a visceral experience of having enough. When we are mindful of what we have, and give thanks for the many gifts we have overlooked or forgotten, our sense of sufficiency increases. Practice thanksgiving before meals, upon rising, and when going to sleep. Friends, family, food, color, fragrance, the earth, life itself—these are all gifts, perfectly gratuitous. How can we not give thanks and celebrate?

For all that has been given by the Creator—that cannot be earned, nor need it be earned—we join in grateful celebration. Like the number zero, gratefulness gives fullness to life by adding nothing. Thanks be to God!

How you can use this practice

By yourself or as a family – Purchase a simple journal or a “Counting my Blessings” journal from Barnes & Noble Booksellers. If the former, copy the line from Brother David Steindl-Rast included above at the top of each page. Underneath it write: “Be sure to remember 5 things to be grateful for each day.” Before going to bed each night, record your gratitude from the day. Or at the family dinner table, invite each person to share 3 gratitude examples from their day. These could include affirmations of family members, or teachers or friends. As weeks become months, notice how rich your life has become by nurturing a grateful heart.