This week, a simple phrase somehow got lodged in my mind and I haven’t been able to evict it, so I thought I might as well make a post out of it. Lemonade out of lemons right? Anyway, the phrase is this; “it takes courage to celebrate others.” That’s it folks, that’s the Rhema 🙂
Since this phrase decided to live rent-free in my head, I decided to do an audit of my attitude towards celebrating others. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to be honest and say I don’t think I did so well. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy when I hear about people’s successes, breakthroughs BUT I don’t always go the extra mile of intentionally expressing my joy to them.
If you’ve read the post ‘Put your yam down and ask questions’, you’ll know that I am a firm believer in minding my business and I generally try to stay out of people’s way. However, I’ve been convicted of something this week – minding my business is not an excuse for not celebrating and applauding others.
Like ‘love’, ‘celebrate’ is a verb; meaning that it is something meant to be acted out not simply felt or thought about.
So, why should you celebrate others?
#1 It shows that you are intentional about loving others. Going out of your way to send a simple congratulatory text message or make a phone call expressing your delight at someone else’s good news shows that your love for them is real and tangible.
Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
1John 3:18 (AMPC)
#2 It shows that you are secure in yourself. We should be able to slay in our lane and clap for others whilst doing so. Are we happy to be in the shadows for a moment and let other people’s joy take centre stage? If you want to prove to yourself that you are secure in yourself and in God’s love for you, freely celebrate others and don’t begrudge them of the spotlight. Like I said earlier, it takes real courage to celebrate others freely and fully.
It takes courage to celebrate others freely and fully
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#3 It helps people in your life feel valued. Remember that feeling you had when a friend you haven’t spoken to in ages sends you a nice message when they saw your ‘new job’ notification on LinkedIn? Didn’t it feel good for someone to acknowledge your success and celebrate with you? Your friends/family don’t need your validation to breathe but your kind words and applause do go a long way in helping them feel they matter.
If the all powerful God could dedicate a whole chapter of the Bible to celebrating people, I’m sure we can send a simple ‘well done’ message to people we care about.
Unvarnished Truth
We all know God is omniscient, omnipotent but in His infinite wisdom, He found it fit to dedicate a whole chapter of Bible (Hebrews 11) to celebrating men and women who demonstrated great faith in the Old Testament. If God can celebrate mere mortals, how much more us?
So, I’m making a personal commitment to celebrating people in my life more – so help me God. I invite you to make the same commitment today.
Keep slaying in your lane and intentionally clap for others while at it.
Unvarnished 