Two Disney enthusiasts were asked to describe their experience with the Tower of Terror at Disneyland. Their perceptions were radically different. When they were interviewed to understand how their expectations impacted their experience, some interesting things emerged.
Zoe had read about Disney her whole life and had been saving for years to go someday. And someday, finally came. She was especially excited about the Tower of Terror, which had very long lines. So, on the day she went, her first stop was the tower. She focused on nothing but getting to the ride to beat the crowds.
Her first ride was epic. So, she got back in line and waited another 90 minutes to ride it again. This repeated for the remainder of the day until it was time to leave, stopping only for a hot dog at a nearby vendor. Her fear of missing out drove her to take in every detail of the Tower, leaving her to miss out on all Disney had to offer.
When asked later what she thought of Disney, she said she was glad she had come but doubted she would return. She expected something more magical than just riding rides. And although it was clean and well-managed, it began to feel old by late afternoon.
Steph loved Disney as long as she could remember. The movies, the parks, the merchandise. She went to Disney as a young child. It was magical. Some of her best memories were of time spent with her parents and grandparents at the park.
By the time she was a young adult, she had gone to Disney every time an opportunity presented itself. Stealing an afternoon when on a business trip to Orlando or adding a few days to planned international travel to visit parks around the world.
When asked what she thought of Disney, a small, excited child rose out of her adult body and described a magical experience. From taking in the nuances of the Disney hotels, to the excitement of entering the park at the start of the day. From the food to the rides, to the cast members and special lunches, she loved it all. You see, every time Steph encountered Disney, she re-lived a beautiful echo of her past. The safety, the love, the belonging, the enchantment all came rushing back with each new visit.
The Bible calls us to live in two realities at the same time. At least in our modern view of reality. The Enlightenment (1700s) redefined reality in a very destructive way, affecting our spiritual formation. Reality became only what we can scientifically validate, what is seen. The unseen realm, the supernatural, became myth or a fairytale. This negated the previous 5,500 years of human history, which was shaped by the supernatural realm overlaying the material. This view was held by the biblical authors.
Zoe missed the broader connection because she was fixated on a single reality. It was all about the ride and not the experience. So, no magic . . .
Steph’s experience was shaped by the seen and unseen. The magic created by a culture and crew intent on shaping an unseen experience alongside the seen.
This reminds me of the echoes within each of us, in our very souls. It is an echo back to Eden, where we experienced Shalom, the experience of living in the Very Good of God. The echoes woo us back and make our hearts yearn for the safety, love, belonging, purpose, and understanding that exist when we are fully in God’s presence. And we are called to live in his presence through abiding.
If we cannot live out our Christian experience as Steph experiences Disney, we will live under an incomplete gospel (the Zoe experience). One in which God is distant, and the concept of Abiding loses all of its meaning. Where much of the Bible seems like myth or irrelevant to our times. Where sanctification is about sin management rather than participating in the restoration of all things, which begins with God restoring me to his very image. Our experience will be performance and fear-driven rather than relational. Not the way God intended.
And that’s the memo.
Colleen
