Disneyland & Heaven

It is supposed to be the happiest place on earth. I am, of course, talking about Disneyland. I am not sure if that is true, but it is surely a place that is full of joy and happy experiences. I happened to be at Disneyland last week, not by choice, but to celebrate two grandsons’ birthdays with their respective families.

I have never been a big Disney fan, and less so these days. For that reason, I spent most of my time watching people. It seemed like there was wall to wall people, scurrying around from ride to ride, or actually from line to line. I watched families with little children, older children walking around, grandmas and grandpas being dragged to the next ride by excited kids. Everywhere we went there were food vendors or little restaurants filled with people taking a break from the crowded lines. There was not a single place that was not crowded with determined people, parked strollers, or folks just worn out and taking a break. But everyone seemed happy.

It made me start thinking as I sat and watched. If Disneyland is such a happy place on this earth, how much more has God in mind for us in heaven. I cannot imagine what heaven is like. When I was a child, I never thought of heaven as some kind of Disneyland. I always thought of heaven as millions of years of church services.

Now don’t get me wrong; there is no doubt that heaven will be filled with the presence of God and worship that we can all imagine. But I think that heaven will be much, much more. It will be the joy and wonder and excitement of a heavenly Disneyland. The attractions will be far beyond what we can dream, and the scope will be the entire universe of God’s creation. After all, why would God have created a universe with galaxies containing billions of stars and planets and only one tiny planet in a tiny galaxy with life?

I think that we underestimate the joy and happiness that God has planned for us in heaven. I do not doubt that we will visit the universe, perhaps at the speed of thought. I do not doubt that there is life in far away places that has lived but never sinned. I do not know, but of this I am sure: heaven will make Disneyland look rather tame.

Heaven is a bit intimidating because it is the unknown. When I say heaven, I do not just mean the place, our headquarters. I mean all of the universe of heaven and what it contains. I do not know, though I can surmise and imagine. But whatever it is, it will be a place and condition of joy unspeakable and full of Glory. Something to really look forward to, better than a trip to Disneyland.