God has placed some persons in our lives to help us discover our potential. There are people whose inputs have helped us become better persons. Some have impacted us by making constructive criticisms that have helped us overcome our weaknesses and build up our strengths.
Such persons are important to us and as such, they should be celebrated. Unfortunately, we often forget the influence of such people and we fail to appreciate them. Today’s lesson is an eye-opener to members on the need to appreciate important persons in their lives.
The Need to Celebrate Important People in Our Lives
Choosing to celebrate or not to celebrate those whom God has used to bless us is a reflection of how grateful or ungrateful we are as human beings.
Acknowledging that we might not have reached our current level of achievements without the help of some people is not a sign of weakness but a result of having positive infusibility.
We should therefore value people who have a positive influence and the opportunity to celebrate them while they are alive. We should make a habit of appreciating good people daily. value little acts of kindness done for them, and disciples should show gratitude.
Biblical Examples of Persons Who Celebrated Important People in Their Lives
The Bible is replete with examples of people who celebrated important individuals in their lives. They include:
a. David(2 Samuel 1:17-26;9:1-13)
Jonathan played a vital role in David’s life, especially his eventual ascension to the throne. Upon hearing of Jonathan’s death, David lamented the death of Saul and Jonathan, his son. Moreover, he showed kindness to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, as he ate on David’s table as a prince.
b. Joseph of Arimathea(Mark 15:43-45; Luke 23:51)
As a high-ranking member of the council, Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus. He was not ashamed to celebrate Jesus while he was alive. He did not support the council in the arrest of Jesus. At His death too, he celebrated Jesus by giving Him a befitting burial because of the impact Jesus had on him.
c. Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome(Mark 16:1)
These committed women understood the impact of Jesus in their lives. Mary Magdalene publicly celebrated Jesus in the house of Simon (Luke 7:36-50), they met the physical needs of Jesus during His earthly ministry and when He died prepared spices to anoint his body., They were not ashamed to associate with Jesus.
d. Apostle Paul 2 Corinthians 8:1-7)
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul was excited to celebrate Corinth. He recognised their impact in supporting his ministry because they were cheerful givers.
e. King Xerxes (Esther 6: 3)
Mordecai had exposed the conspiracy of Bigthana and Teresh, to execute the king, but he was forgotten. Later, the king remembered his impact and ordered Haman to publicly honour and recognise him. Give other biblical examples of those who celebrated important people in their lives.
Categories of Important People in Our Lives
persons who have made an impact in our lives vary. They include but are not limited to the following:
a. Friends:(Proverbs 17:17a
Daniel 1:17): A friend is a person other than one’s family members, and one’s spouse whose company one enjoys and towards whom one feels affection. Good friends are an integral part of our lives. They contribute positively to our lives and we should celebrate them.
b. Co-workers
Those we work with can be important people in our lives and might be worthy of being celebrated. When they contribute positively to our success, they should be acknowledged. Such people can be our boss, subordinates or colleagues.
c. Mentors
A mentor is a wise and trusted counsellor or teacher. Some people are gifted counsellors. They are always objective when it comes to issues. Such kind of people deserve to be celebrated.
Disciples can have academic mentors, spiritual mentors, financial mentors and the like. We should not take the knowledge of such mentors for granted but celebrate them as the occasion demands.
d. Neighbours(Luke 10:29-37)
A neighbour could be someone living near another person. It could also mean a person who is near in sympathy or confidence. Biblically, it means fellow human beings.
So, when people who may not be close to us show kindness and keep at it, they should be celebrated. Time: Which other categories of people deserve to be celebrated and why?
Ways to Celebrate Important People
The following are suggested ways in which important people in our lives can be celebrated:
i. Special Gifts
Celebrating the important people in our lives with special gifts is a good idea. A beautiful piece of art or customised plaque can be presented to celebrate them.
ii. Goodwill Messages
Good messages can create lasting memories in whoever receives them. It could be letters, cards or text messages. Such messages convey how important they are and celebrate such individuals.
iii. Organising a Celebration Gathering
Important people in our lives can also be celebrated by organising a party in their honour on any of their special days.
iv. Commending their Achievements
When good people in our lives achieve success, they should be celebrated.
Man is a relational being as such we cannot live in isolation. Our humanity is reflected by the relationships we keep with people. Everybody God brings our way has one impact or the other on us.
But we must consciously recognise those who have positively influenced our lives and appreciate them. Their impact should not be taken for granted because they must have contributed to our development.
So, let us make it a culture to honour and appreciate people who help us in developing our potential in life.
Conclusion
November has been dedicated to Thanksgiving. The topics focus on celebration as a way of showing thanks. Celebrating God comes first in our response to His nature and works. God should be celebrated both in good and bad times.
The understanding of the fact that we are created to bring God pleasure should motivate us to be grateful disciples. After God comes other people that are worth celebrating. Our family members, spiritual leaders like pastors, friends, co-workers, and anyone who has a positive impact on our lives.
Christ’sdisciples should value a good relationship which thrives on love, unity and commitment to God and people. We should be grateful to God and appreciate Him for bringing our way good people who have a positive influence on our lives.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, bless everyone who has impacted my life positively.
Post-Group Activity
List some people who had a positive impact on you and send them a letter of appreciation. Read more related posts on our Bible reading page of the site.
