The only phone I ever lost was 15 years ago. It was during a wedding program of a dear one. With my phone in the pocket, we danced to the front to rejoice with the couple. I was so carried away with the dances that I never noticed when my phone was stolen. As I returned to my seat, I could not find my phone. I lost something valuable in a moment of celebration.
Friend, you need to learn to maximize festivities. Festivity talks about the celebration of something in a joyful and exuberant way.
Festivity is not alien to the Bible. It is from where we got Festival. Festival in scriptures is also known as feast (Exodus 23:14-16). God instituted feasts. Humans also institute feasts. It is marked by gathering, rituals, eating and celebrations.
God wants to use festive season to achieve kingdom purpose. It was during the feast at pentecost that the Holy Spirit came down (Acts 2:1, 20:16). It was during the feast at Shiloh that Hannah got her miracle child (Joshua 18:1, Judges 21:19, 1 Samuel 1:3). Jesus performed His first miracle during a wedding celebration (John 2:1-11).
God is not against us having fun. He does not want us to lose our focus in the midst of it (1 Timothy 6:17). This was the undoing of David (2 Samuel 11:1-5). Herod also got carried away with feasting that he took off the head of a national prophet (Matthew 14:1-12). Don’t lose your guard during festivities. Rather, maximize them for intimacy with God.
Be sensitive. Like Easu, don’t lose what is valuable for what is pleasurable (Genesis 25:27-34). Avoid making permanent decisions because of temporary pleasure or emotion. Enjoy the moment but keep an eye on purpose. Learn to have fun with fire. Don’t suspend your walk with the Lord and your consecration (Daniel 1:8).
Use Festivities to unwind, reset and prepare for what lies ahead. Avoid going up and down. Practise solitude (Mark 6:31). Don’t waste money. Plan your spendings so you won’t enter the new year looking for bailouts (Ecclesiastes 10:19). Don’t make an idol out of festivities (Exodus 32:6, 1 Corinthians 10:7). Focus on Jesus; He remains the reason for the season (Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16).
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria