We recently hosted a marriage ONE DAY at our church. During the day we touched on some heavy topics from sex, purity, hurts, and forgiveness. Towards the end of some heavy sessions, we strategically staged a surprise dance party. While some of the left-footed people didn't appreciate this, one couple, in particular, shared some incredible feedback. After having some intense emotions and past hurts resurface, they found themselves, “Dancing like it was their wedding day.” In fact, she shared that they haven’t danced since the day they stared into each other’s eyes and said, “I do.” The love, connection, and commitments of that day came flooding back as we cut-a-rug during the ONE DAY.

Celebrations, festivals, and parties can serve as a powerful reminder of past moments. In Jewish culture, that’s exactly what the festivals represented to the people of God. In Deuteronomy 16, three of the festivals are outlined: The Passover, The Festival of Weeks, and The Festival of Tabernacles.

There’s no irony with Scripture – only the intentionality of God. These festivals represent significant movements of God in the lives of His people. The Passover represents the freedom of God’s people from slavery in Egypt, saved by the blood, so they can worship Him. The Festival of Weeks represents the beginning of harvest time and is also intentionally called Pentecost. The fulfillment of this festival metaphor comes in Acts 2 as the Holy Spirit falls on the church on Pentecost. What was the result? A sweeping harvest of the church reaching the lost and making disciples that is still happening today. Lastly, the Feast of Tabernacles represents the reconciliation of God to His people. Fulfilled in Christ and the reconciled relationship we have with God through Him.

These festivals are wedding day memories. They’re reminders of the times God rescued His people, gave them the Holy Spirit, and reconnected them to the source of life. Take heart in that reminder today. The same God who instituted the festivals is the one who fulfilled them. God has not forgotten about you. Nor has He already “done his thing” and moved on. He’s instituted it, fulfilled it, and now gives us the liberty to partake in it.

Dance today. The moments of long ago are still giving life.