By Toni Smothers
There’s a grand exhibit hall at the Walt Disney World Park that is dedicated to Disney’s various characters, depicted all around and above in animated effervescence.
My husband and I were tired and the exhibit was not very crowded so we found a bench to rest while planning our next few stops. There was a kaleidoscope of swirling characters on film being projected freely upon the walls and ceiling. Though hectic, there was a strange sense of calm watching all those familiar characters dance about as we relaxed..
A young woman entered our rotunda with the most fascinated child, who was about three years old, smiling and giggling as he watched the dancing display. There were a lot of different corridors that went off to other exhibits. People just seemed to mull about for a few moments and then be on their way. This little fella was sure he’d gone to heaven as he twirled and smiled in awe of the display. He began to shake his bootie, toddler style, to the Donald Duck rumba that appeared above, accompanied by appropriate music, and he really got into wiggling and gyrating to the beat. Then he ran as fast as his tiny legs could run all through the rotunda. His Mom watched and enjoyed the child’s delight, as did we.
The little guy finally discovered the opening of one of the corridors and made a bee-line-mad-dash. His Mom immediately sprang to her feet, ran behind him and playfully scooped up her little boy from behind, lifting him high in the air; sharing a tremendous moment of glee with him. Then she put him down, but in the corrected path she wanted him to take.
The child enjoyed the ride and tried again and again. After a while, the mom stopped lifting her son up. She simply stood in his pathway patiently waiting for the boy to accept the inevitable roadblock. The boy shifted directions, he'd move left and then right, just having the best time. This loving mom never wavered. She made her plans known to her son without any temper or anxiety - Like God’s plan for us. We only need to trust that God has everything pretty well covered. We can also run squealing with joy through our lives, knowing that a loving dad is going to make his intentions known to us.
So, how did we get so clueless about God's straight forward instructions in the bible? Why have we become very unlike children, thinking we need some profound revelation to strike us? Or, maybe just a burning bush or two will give us the awe and assurance we need? Haven't we become stiff-minded and obsessive?
Some of us have studied diligently, trying to analyze and fit the bible into a comfortable category we can master - It has never been,nor will it ever be that kind of book. It is the only, most read book of all time - And, it continually instructs the open heart. Read it and absorb its ever changing message. Even the greatest biblical scholar doesn't think he will ever have full knowledge of the living word. I'm for learning and loving everything God shows us within it. How about you?
God is patient and kind. He will wait on us. But imagine God’s delight when we just let go and trust Him; when we allow ourselves to be mesmerized like a wide-eyed child; when we squeal in joyous praise of Him and His unfathomable love and mercy. Then maybe we will be able to shake our booties to the Donald Duck rumba, like no one is watching or waiting to criticize … and when we live that way, we will delight and love to share God’s plan with everyone we care about.
If you would like to accept God’s free offer of salvation, pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:
Dear Father, I need you. I confess that I have sinned against you by living my life as if I actually knew what I was doing. I have made many bad decisions and done many things I am ashamed of. I thank you for forgiving my sins through the blood of your precious son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me. I now invite Jesus to take His rightful place in my heart as ruler of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. I believe that you love me just as I am and I ask you to teach me how to love you back. Create in me a clean heart as you show me how to live each day for You. . . Amen
There’s a grand exhibit hall at the Walt Disney World Park that is dedicated to Disney’s various characters, depicted all around and above in animated effervescence.
My husband and I were tired and the exhibit was not very crowded so we found a bench to rest while planning our next few stops. There was a kaleidoscope of swirling characters on film being projected freely upon the walls and ceiling. Though hectic, there was a strange sense of calm watching all those familiar characters dance about as we relaxed..
A young woman entered our rotunda with the most fascinated child, who was about three years old, smiling and giggling as he watched the dancing display. There were a lot of different corridors that went off to other exhibits. People just seemed to mull about for a few moments and then be on their way. This little fella was sure he’d gone to heaven as he twirled and smiled in awe of the display. He began to shake his bootie, toddler style, to the Donald Duck rumba that appeared above, accompanied by appropriate music, and he really got into wiggling and gyrating to the beat. Then he ran as fast as his tiny legs could run all through the rotunda. His Mom watched and enjoyed the child’s delight, as did we.
The little guy finally discovered the opening of one of the corridors and made a bee-line-mad-dash. His Mom immediately sprang to her feet, ran behind him and playfully scooped up her little boy from behind, lifting him high in the air; sharing a tremendous moment of glee with him. Then she put him down, but in the corrected path she wanted him to take.
The child enjoyed the ride and tried again and again. After a while, the mom stopped lifting her son up. She simply stood in his pathway patiently waiting for the boy to accept the inevitable roadblock. The boy shifted directions, he'd move left and then right, just having the best time. This loving mom never wavered. She made her plans known to her son without any temper or anxiety - Like God’s plan for us. We only need to trust that God has everything pretty well covered. We can also run squealing with joy through our lives, knowing that a loving dad is going to make his intentions known to us.
So, how did we get so clueless about God's straight forward instructions in the bible? Why have we become very unlike children, thinking we need some profound revelation to strike us? Or, maybe just a burning bush or two will give us the awe and assurance we need? Haven't we become stiff-minded and obsessive?
Some of us have studied diligently, trying to analyze and fit the bible into a comfortable category we can master - It has never been,nor will it ever be that kind of book. It is the only, most read book of all time - And, it continually instructs the open heart. Read it and absorb its ever changing message. Even the greatest biblical scholar doesn't think he will ever have full knowledge of the living word. I'm for learning and loving everything God shows us within it. How about you?
God is patient and kind. He will wait on us. But imagine God’s delight when we just let go and trust Him; when we allow ourselves to be mesmerized like a wide-eyed child; when we squeal in joyous praise of Him and His unfathomable love and mercy. Then maybe we will be able to shake our booties to the Donald Duck rumba, like no one is watching or waiting to criticize … and when we live that way, we will delight and love to share God’s plan with everyone we care about.
If you would like to accept God’s free offer of salvation, pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:
Dear Father, I need you. I confess that I have sinned against you by living my life as if I actually knew what I was doing. I have made many bad decisions and done many things I am ashamed of. I thank you for forgiving my sins through the blood of your precious son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me. I now invite Jesus to take His rightful place in my heart as ruler of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. I believe that you love me just as I am and I ask you to teach me how to love you back. Create in me a clean heart as you show me how to live each day for You. . . Amen