The Spiritual Discipline You ’ re Not Considering
Nicole Zasowski
Admittedly , I was a little irritated when I realized that celebration was in fact a discipline . Afterall , aren ’ t there enough practices that are essential to our mental , emotional , and spiritual growth that require fortitude and self-control ? Shouldn ’ t celebration feel easy and come naturally !? Yet , my study of scripture and current psychological research made it clear that celebration is indeed a discipline .
While I was initially hesitant to consider celebration a discipline , I quickly realized how hopeful and empowering this idea is . We tend to think of celebration as a reaction to good news or a reward for an accomplishment . Perhaps unconsciously , we always see our joy sitting on the other side of a dream realized , a goal achieved , or some sort of shift in our circumstances . As a result , many of us feel anxious as we approach a new season or opportunity and think , “ I hope I have a reason to feel joy ...” We tend to make our celebration contingent on our situation .
Sometimes we get to enjoy the celebration that comes naturally after receiving good news or achieving a goal . But in fact , this is only a small portion of the celebration that is available to us . More than a reaction or a reward , celebration is a rhythm — a practice that helps us experience more joy in the life we are already living .
The Bible discusses several feasts and festivals celebrated by God ’ s people . Each of these celebrations occurred not because the people felt that they had earned the feast or because they were in the mood to celebrate but because it was time to do so . Even the celebration of Sabbath didn ’ t come as a reward for the week ’ s
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