POST 39: Celebrating with Others
POST 39
Celebrating with Others
Celebration is a funny thing. It sounds cool and exciting. Who doesn’t love a good party?! But it can get complicated when you feel like you’re missing out or overlooked in some way.
When the movie Encanto came out, I (Kristel) was excited to see it! My husband is Colombian, and seeing Colombia represented on the big screen was a huge deal for our family. I immediately fell in love with the movie. The songs, the colors, the Latino vibrancy. I cried tears of joy.
Then Encanto was available for streaming and my daughter insisted we watch it every single day. I thought I would soon tire of it, but instead I gained new insights with each viewing. I won’t give too much away, but the plot of the movie is about a “fantastical and magical” family. Each member has a gift—Luisa is super strong, Camilo can shape-shift, Isabela can make flowers grow in an instant, Julieta can heal anyone with her delicious arepas—and they are all expected to use their gifts to help their village.
But Mirabel, the main character, has no gift. For reasons unknown, she was never given one, and she has had to live with that unmet desire. She is still holding out for a miracle that someday she can be special like everyone else in her family.
One day, after watching the movie for probably the fifth time, my daughter told me, “I think I know what Mirabel’s gift is. She loves her family.”
And you know what? She’s right!
Celebration Is Love
Mirabel, despite having no obvious magical gift of her own, is steadfast in loving her familia. Right at the start of the movie, she sings all about her amazing family and celebrates their gifts. Her joy is palpable and compelling.
And when it’s time for her little cousin Antonio to have his gift ceremony, she is with him every step of the way. Although she feels the pain of being the only one without a gift, she is supportive of Antonio and celebrates with him when he receives his magical gift of being able to communicate with animals.
I won’t give the ending away, but know that the celebration is returned and it’s worth the watch.
As members of God’s family, we are also called on to celebrate one another. There’s simply no room for jealousy, competition, or rivalry. We celebrate one another because we all belong to the same family and our gifts are meant to be shared to build each other up.
READING GOD’S WORD
Continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. Don’t stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24–25)
Journaling Questions
When was the last time you celebrated someone else? Reflect on that experience.
How do you feel when people celebrate you?
How can you be better at celebrating others, even when it’s difficult for you?
Pray This Prayer
God, what a joy it is that we get to celebrate one another! May I never forget my calling to celebrate and encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
SOMETHING TO TRY
Find a way to celebrate someone in your life this week. Here are some ideas:
THE TAKEAWAY
Celebrating others is one way we can show love, especially as members of God’s familia.