Need a reason to party? Look no further than the Bible. God has given us spirits of joy and celebration, so here are some Biblical ways you can celebrate the big and small moments of life!

 

With a Party

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples” (John 2:1-2).

It’s no accident that Jesus’s first miracle took place at a party (v. 6-11). Jesus’s miraculous works here on Earth help to point to what the kingdom of Heaven is like— and all throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see a God who loves a good party. The Bible is full of feasts and jubilees where God directs his people to relax and rejoice in the bounty of his blessings.

So go gather some important (or at least, fun) people in your life to share some good laughs and good food. Celebrate the fact that it’s summer! Go all out on the summer Olympics. Host a themed mystery soirée— God gave us gifts of creativity, and of joy, and of relationships. We can honor him by creating experiences of fun, beauty, and belonging with others in our lives. 

 

With a Song

“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

‘I will sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.

‘The Lord is my strength and my defense;
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt him.’” (Exodus 15:1-2).

Often in the Bible, we see examples of people who are so overwhelmed by the goodness and mercy of God that they burst into song. Perhaps you’ve experienced something similar yourself after particularly exciting news or a time when you’ve really felt God come through in your life. Maybe you don’t want to make up a song yourself (though it’d be cool if you did), but we see in Scripture an invitation to celebrate by worshiping God through song. So, next time you’re teeming with happiness or overcome by your blessings, mark the moment by turning on your favorite worship song and singing along loudly. Maybe even consider inviting some friends over for a praise night. However you choose to sing to the Lord, we know it’s a pleasing sound to his ears (even if your pitch is a bit rough).

 

With a Prayer

“I will exalt you, my God the King;
    I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise you
    and extol your name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:1-2).

This one might feel a bit obvious, but sometimes, we forget to turn to God when things are going super well… or even just kinda well! So, talk to God about your celebratory moment! Thank him for the ways you’re blessed and let him know what you’re looking forward to. On your birthday, what are your hopes for the next year? What about your plans after graduation? While enjoying a beautiful summer evening, let him know how you want to grow closer to him. No matter how big or how small the moment of celebration, God wants to share in your delight. Plus, noticing him in times of joy helps us remember that he is good and that he is near during the times when things get tough. Try telling or texting your friends about your moment of celebration as well, so they can include it as a praise during their own prayer time, instead of only sharing prayer requests.

 

With Generosity

“I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing” (Genesis 12:1-2).

Throughout the Biblical narrative, God commissions those who receive his blessings to use their “wealth” to bless those around them. So, while he loves to bless us, he wants us to become a blessing to the world! And we aren’t just talking about finances here… there are so many ways to celebrate the gifts that God’s given you by being generous with your time, your skills, or even your attention. Donate to a cause that’s important to you. Volunteer at an organization close to your heart. Pick up a tab at the coffee shop. Make dinner for a few friends. Help a neighbor with their yard work. Send a card to your Grandma. Even small acts of kindness and generosity can serve as celebrations honoring God’s blessings in your life.