Choosing To Celebrate
MEGHAN RYAN ASBURY
Lee en español
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
Celebrating can feel challenging, especially when we’re in seasons where it feels like there’s nothing to celebrate.
But what if choosing to celebrate is one of the best ways to experience joy in our current circumstances?
Celebration is a huge cadence of our lives and calendars. We mark holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and seasons. It’s biblical to celebrate. The word “celebrate” throughout the Old Testament is often translated from the Hebrew verb hagag, which means “to prepare, keep, or observe a feast or festival.” Scripture outlines so many feasts and festivals God gave His people to help them remember what He had done for them.
Today we can celebrate for the same reason: to remember and rejoice in what God has done. Psalm 27:13 says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” This verse reminds us why building the spiritual “muscle” of celebration matters. We need to look for the goodness of the Lord today and help others do the same.
We often find ourselves busy attending other people’s celebrations: weddings, baby showers, work dinners, and housewarming parties. And, yes, these milestones are worth celebrating! But they are not the only things in life we should honor and acknowledge.
It doesn’t always have to look like a party or an event. Celebration helps you invite others to acknowledge even a small moment that matters, a moment that you don’t want to forget.
Even in my darkest seasons, I’ve felt this nudge to practice the discipline of celebration. Not because I want to discount my pain but because I need to be reminded of God’s goodness, even when my life feels anything but good.
We don’t have to look ahead at future possibilities to rejoice right now. Those future celebrations will come, but we don’t want to look back and regret not taking a moment to savor the goodness of this moment.
What if you took a few minutes today to simply reflect on the past month? Grab a journal, or open a note on your phone. Maybe turn on your favorite music. Pick up a fun beverage from your most-loved coffee shop. Write about the highlights of this month and how God was there. Then choose how you want to celebrate His goodness in your life. If nothing comes to mind, ask God to show you how to do this.
I want to be an active participant in this one precious, beautiful life God has gifted to me — don’t you? God doesn’t ask us to sit on the sidelines. He invites us to participate. Let’s celebrate, on earth as it is in heaven.
God, thank You for Your goodness. Thank You that in Your Word, You promise we will see Your goodness here and now. Show me the areas of my life where Your goodness is on display. Give me the boldness to celebrate where I am and the confidence to invite others to do the same. Life is a gift; thank You for being the best Giver. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
If you’re ready to release the internal shame and external pressure of “where you should be” while still being honest with God (and yourself), check out Meghan’s book, You Are Not Behind: Building a Life You Love Without Having Everything You Want. In these pages, you’ll learn how to grieve the hard, celebrate the good, and embrace the in-between of where you are and where you want to be. Click here to order your book today!
ENGAGE
What if this was the best summer of your life? But not because you took some great trip or experienced some big life change … What if it was because you learned how to experience abundance in your everyday life? Meghan put together this free resource just for you: “4 Days to Savor Your Summer: A Guided Devotional to Love the Season You’re In.” Each day, you’ll have a verse to read with a devotion and prayer. Then you’ll have space to help you slow down, stay present, and see the good in front of you.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (NIV).
Ecclesiastes 3:4, “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance …” (NIV).
What is one thing you can celebrate this week? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Meghan Ryan Asbury. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
