The Happiest Place on Earth

This past Tuesday, Kristen, Benjamin and I took a trip down to Orlando, Florida. With the gracious help of some brethren we were able to spend a day in the Magical Kingdom as a family. Most people call Disney “The Happiest Place on Earth.” I was so glad to see just how excited Kristen and Ben were throughout the whole day and thankful for all of the memories we gained by being able to go there. In thinking of it being called “The Happiest Place on Earth” I began to think upon the true happiest place that will be and the comparison between the two. While Disney World is truly a happy place with so much to enjoy, and all should try to go at least one day if possible, the happiest place one can strive to go is heaven.

While there was so much to see, we had to walk around everywhere on a very hot and humid day. We all ended up sweating a good bit and had to drink more water than ever before in order to stay hydrated. Our legs were killing us by the end of the day and we were so tired that we had to stop and get a motel room that night instead of going all the way back to the family we were staying with. Even writing this the day after, having had time to sleep and relax I still am feeling the exhaustion. We see a different picture in heaven though. Along with other things, John is told that in the new heaven there shall be “neither shall there be any more pain”(Rev 21:4). In heaven we won’t have to worry about exhaustion, painful legs or the sun beating down upon us any longer. Disney can make one feel like a kid again, but it cannot take away the pain, tiredness and the sweat of the brow.

Kristen and I were beyond happy that Ben managed to take a pretty good nap before it was time to eat dinner. His nap gave him enough energy to let us stay for the nighttime electric light parade that ran through the magic kingdom after dark. This is a parade to be remembered for sure. As the sun went down, the theme park lit up along the outline of buildings, and soon the parade began. Plenty of floats based off of Disney themes and characters flooded the streets and the floats were covered from start to end with bright lights. It was truly something that one cannot forget after seeing due to how amazing it was. Despite the great amount of lights, darkness still invaded the environment. We had left our bags in the car, but I knew that if we had brought them in I would still fear what could happen to them in the dark. Darkness usually brings thoughts of fear into man and is used as a cover for sin and unrighteousness. Again, it is revealed to John in Revelation that “there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev 22:5). The fear that comes with night shall no longer ever be a concern for mankind in heaven, but Disney can never fully banish the darkness.

Another comparison can be find out how Kristen and I obtained our tickets in. By donating so much to a charity we were able to get two tickets and a coupon to a nice restaurant and it ended up being a great deal. You can also get a day ticket to Disney by volunteering 24 hours to an approved group. While you can “work” your way into Disney, the same cannot be said unto heaven. While there are things one must do in order to reach either destination (get on the ferry or monorail into Disney and obey God in love to get into heaven) one cannot do enough good works to simply earn their way into heaven. One must go through Christ who paid the price and be His servant if they wish to have entrance into heaven (John 14:6) and that is their only option.

Disney is a wonderful place that really does seem magical, but nothing man can create can ever compare to the heaven which God has in store for His people.