Adventure Land

Adventure Land and the Swiss Family Tree House, Fantasy Land with Skull Rock and Pirate’s Cove, Tomorrow Land with the Rocket Jets and the Submarine Voyage captivated my imagination as a boy in Disneyland during the 1970’s. I remember walking around the park with my Grandparents and pure adrenaline pulsed through my body as I soaked in all the sights, sounds and thrilling rides. It was like my brain was on an intravenous supply of Disney caffeine. I became lost in my own fantasy land and even when my Grandparents had worn down and wanted to leave, I was still running at full steam.

Charlene and I took our kids to Disneyland a few years ago for the first time and it was like I was transported back in time to my childhood experience. At the end of our family trip we were all exhausted but joyful in our time together as one of our best family memories to date. Now, this isn’t a commercial for Disneyland (unless Disney executives reading my blog would like to make a big $ offer), but it does illustrate a feeling of excitement, anticipation, thrill, adventure, rest and enjoyment. A crazy thought – what if we were able to stir up those same feelings in our worship and service to God?

What if we had a similar anticipation and experience in attending church? I know it’s like comparing apples to oranges and maybe a ridiculous thought, but what if? Kids would eagerly wake up early in anticipation, teens would be fully engaged, and adults would view this time as a highlight of joy and rest to their busy and draining schedules. Pastors wouldn’t feel like they have to beg people to attend services. Can you imagine how church services would be transformed with all the contagious enthusiasm during worship? What if sermons were anticipated with the same appeal of Submarine Voyage in looking through the portholes in discovery of a treasure chest of gold, a sea serpent and mermaids? What if we all left church feeling energized, full of joy, wanting more and planning for our next time back together?

Walt Disney created a world with a wonderful story of adventure and fantasy which has become woven into the fabric of our American culture. God has created a story of adventure, truth and love that is not fantasy but real, and He invites us to become woven into His story for today and eternity. I look forward to that day when I stand in the presence of the glory of God with my friends and family. I can only imagine what the new sights, sounds, smells and feelings I will experience at that time. I know it will be overwhelming, exciting and full of adventure and “It’s a Small World” will seem like a small world indeed. In John’s vision of the Throne Room of Heaven he describes it in Revelation chapter 4.

 ³ The One who sat on the throne looked like precious stones, like jasper and carnelian. All around the throne was a rainbow the color of an emerald. ⁴ Around the throne there were twenty-four other thrones with twenty-four elders sitting on them. They were dressed in white and had golden crowns on their heads. ⁵ Lightning flashes and noises and thunder came from the throne. Before the throne seven lamps were burning, which are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also before the throne there was something that looked like a sea of glass, clear like crystal. In the center and around the throne were four living creatures with eyes all over them, in front and in back. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion. The second was like a calf. The third had a face like a man. The fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of these four living creatures had six wings and was covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day and night they never stop saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.
He was, he is, and he is coming.” – Revelation 4:3-9 (NCV)

Discover more of John’s vision in the book of Revelation and discover the great adventure we have today in Christ and his preparation for us in eternity.