Effective leaders celebrate, not to recognize themselves, but to praise God and encourage others.
Moses celebrated. “We will go with our young and our old, with our sons and our daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the Lord.” (Exodus 10:9 NIV)
Nehemiah and his people celebrated. “At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres.” Also, “The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:27 & 43 NIV)
I started my missionary giving when I was ten years old by giving $6.40 worth of dimes. My Missionary friend graciously accepted my tiny gift. Then, he convinced me that the gift was significant in taking him to Brazil to translate scripture.
I recently toured Wycliffe Bible Translators, Canadian headquarters, with Jack Popjes, my first and favorite missionary friend. Jack is a veteran translator and former Executive Director of Wycliffe. He pointed to a large bell in the corner of their conference room. He told me that Wycliffe celebrates when a New Testament or full Bible translation has been published by ringing the bell. Headquarters staff gather to see the book waved triumphantly, to sing praise songs and thank our Lord for the accomplishment.
What can you celebrate? God is still doing amazing things?
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Author, Leadership is Devotions for Servant Leaders