The following post is written by my husband Chad. He enjoyed writing his last post “A Tribute to My Heroes,” so he asked to write another post. He is such a stud! I also want to add this disclaimer BEFORE you read his post: we LOVE going to Disneyland and will be returning there as often as we can. In fact, we got engaged there, on August 30th 2007. So if you are a Disney fan, don’t be sending us any meanie weanie emails after you read this! May your heart be challenged with the lesson that is presented here…
Anyone who knows me understands that Disneyland is a part of me. Once a year, since at least 1988, I have made the trek to a Disney park. Even though I do the same routine every year, there is still something magical about every trip to “The Happiest Place on Earth.” As I made my annual trip this past February, I found myself learning something new, a feat that is rarely accomplished on such a routine trip.
As I passed the entrance tunnel into the park, I marveled at the plaque.
The plaque at the entrance tunnel into Disneyland Park.
This entrance plaque, a quote by Walt Disney himself, sums up my feelings about these trips. Whenever I enter Disneyland, I am able to put the cares of the world outside, and focus on a place seemingly devoid of the choas of the outside world. The center of the park has a “Fantasyland”, but the park itself serves as
an illusion of peace in a chaotic world.
A One Degree Moment
As I boarded Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, God had a lesson for me. The ride began as it always does. I checked my seatbelt, the car lurched forward, and we looked into the eyes of Mara, despite Indy’s warnings. The familiar John Williams theme to the Indiana Jones movies blared in the speaker next to my head, and we rounded the first curve into the skeleton room. And then the ride stopped.
Mind you, to any true Disney fan, this is considered a stroke of unimaginable good fortune. With baited breath, I waited for the opportunity fate seemed to be presenting me. After several more minutes, the lights came on. This was the moment I had hoped for!
What a disappointment it was…
Skeleton room in Indiana Jones. Lights on!
Disney Imagineers are masters at deception
Despite the fact that I wanted to see what the ride looked like with the lights on, when it actually happened, I realized that I was sitting in an illusion (the ride) within another illusion (the park). The ride was very well done with the painting and set design, but without the blacklights and soundtrack, it was nothing more than a set.
Then it hit me: the war in Afghanistan continues, cancer is eating away at some of my loved ones, and the value of my house continues to decline. I had faked myself into believing that none of that existed while in the park.
The ride started back up again, but the lights stayed on and the soundtrack was turned off for the rest of the ride.
The magic was gone
That day in Disneyland, I finally learned a lesson that the prophet Isaiah tried to tell the children of Israel 2800 years ago. In Isaiah 30:9-11, Isaiah laments,
“For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.'”
While at Disneyland, I pay the Disney management a hefty sum to speak smooth things to me and show me illusions so that I don’t have to think about the horrible things outside the gates. However, when the lights came on in the Indy ride, I realized that I was in an illusion. I realized that the world outside of the gates was my reality.
God is calling me to shine His light into it. Yet, how often do I act like the children of Israel once I am outside the Disneyland gates?
The Spirit of God calls me to carry out His will, yet how often do I desire things to go smoothly, or believe illusions so that I don’t have to listen to Him and carry out my will instead? How often have you or I started to despise what is right and ignored the truth of Scripture so that we can continue rebelling?
Thankfully, though, God has a habit of turning the lights on during our ride through life, doesn’t He?
Well said sir! Sometimes, the fantasy ride can be “church going” or an exciting, new “ministry opportunity”… and then when the dust settles I’m at times pulled back into my reality with God. Sometimes I get to see my true, real colors, and I find that I give my leftovers to my family at times. Or that I still have more selfishness in me than Jesus’ humble heart. Thank God for HIS divine reality checks!!! ~ Blessings to you both, Amy
Thanks Amy, I appreciate the comment!
Wow! Thank you for writing this Chadly. I loved how you used something that we can all identify with and something we all feel when we are at Disneyland. It truly is an escape from the world and it allows us to leave our cares at the door for about a day. I think every now and then we all want to “escape” the world especially when the going gets tough. What a wonderful reminder and I appreciate you filling in for the wife today. Very well written and one that I will take to heart!
Chad, how amazing is our God to set up this perfect scenario for you, and to turn on your “lights.” I don’t think I will soon forget this and I pray I learn and do something with it. Thank you for your God given wisdom and clarity. Adele
I appreciate the comments Adele! Thanks for your thoughts.
Thanks Erika! Hopefully you’ll see the Indy ride differently in the future!
Hi Chad- I’m a friend of your beautiful wife. What a great post! I grew up going to Disneyland too-it was our yearly family vacation, so I relate very much to your story. I think about this very thing often as an adult…how much do I value comfort, security, happiness? More than what God is calling me to? Sigh, the struggles of the flesh. I love how God can use anything/any place to teach us more about Him (and ourselves) thanks to the Holy Spirit. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks Erin! I appreciate your comment.