Feb 16

Written by: tim
2/16/2010 2:42 PM 

This past Sunday morning we sang the beautiful chorus, "Better is One Day in Your Courts."  The lyrics are wonderful and turn our thoughts toward the beauty, safety and glory that God provides.  "How lovely is Your dwelling place, oh Lord Almighty," and "My soul longs and even faints for You," are poetic and bold statements.  Tina and I were talking about the service and that song in particular when she expressed truth in a refreshing way.  I can't quote her exactly but it was something like, "I've been to Disneyland and that's the happiest place on earth, would I really want to spend a day in God's court more than a thousand in Disneyland?  Yes, I would."

Sometimes we need that comparison to drive home truth.  I love Disneyland.  It costs way too much and it is over-the-top shiny, loud and jingly but I smiled the whole time I was there.  We have video of our kids snoring away in our car after a day at Disneyland because they were completely exhausted from having so much fun.  We stood in lines, ate junk food, went on countless rides and met all kinds of Disney characters.  The children missed school, we drove to where it was warm and we even stayed in hotels.  It was a true family vacation.  If you told me that I had to stay in one spot for the rest of my life, I don't know if I actually would pick Disneyland but I'm sure it would be right up there on my list.

So think about it, is one day in God's house better than a thousand in Disneyland?

Maybe Disneyland isn't the happiest place on earth for you but I'll bet you can think of a spot filled with wonderful memories or a place you'd like to go to that you daydream about.  Does God's house really top all of that stuff?  Of course it does and yet taking my experience in Disneyland and holding it up in comparison really makes me appreciate the magnitude of God's house.  Disneyland was wonderful but God's house brings so much more than just happiness.  In God's house I am warm and cared for.  In His dwelling place there is no fear of intruders or malice and there certainly aren't any lines, He is always accessible.  In the court of the Almighty One there is joy, love and pleasure without regret.  I am a resident spending my time there "on the house", not on my credit card.  God's house is so amazing because He resides there and all my needs are more than taken care of. 

It has been just over a year since our family went to Disneyland and we all are ready to go back!  I'm sure we'll return when our budget is agreeable to the idea and we'll enjoy every last second of it like we did the first time.  There is the possibility that we may not go back for a long time or maybe never again but even if we lived right inside Mickey's house I would still long to be in God's house.  There just isn't anything like it.

The happiest place on earth can't compete with heaven.