The Magic Kingdom (in Detail)

Bursts of colorful light illuminate the dark night sky and bring a warm glow to spectators' faces. Loud explosions pierce the silence of space and send shock waves you feel in your chest. Fireworks set to emotive music. Then snow. Yes, snow. Well, not really snow...but it sure looks like it, and falls like it, too! Christmas in The Magic Kingdom where, apparently, a million dreams can come true this season (and probably will, as a visit to Disneyland is a dream come true for most kids!)

There are some smart people working for Disney.

Not that smart is the point but it sure is the reason for the fullness of the "magic" you experience at D-Land.

Last week, my family and I spent two days in Disneyland. We had a fantastic time. Interesting, though, it was very tiring, and we had our moments--but those aren't the first things I remember. In general, I keep thinking, "Man, that was really, REALLY fun...and good...and...I think we need to make this an annual family tradition!"

Before this past week, I had never thought about why so many people think Disneyland is the end-all, be-all. I had never thought about why it's so alluring and so...FUN! On several occasions, while waiting in (not-very-long-thank-you-very-much!) lines for rides, I was struck by the detail of the surroundings (think, the pre-ride). The Indiana Jones adventure is a great example of this. Rides at Disneyland aren't just about the (thrill of the) rides. They're about the whole experience; they're about what leads up to the ride. They're about being in a different world.

I could talk on and on about all of this...but I won't. Here's the point: regardless of the fact that Disney is bringing in profits by the bucket-load, the people responsible for making this place what it is have taken great pains and care in creating what we experience after purchasing our pricey Park-Hopper passes. There has been and continues to be great attention to detail in every corner of the park.

I don't want to overspiritualize Disneyland, and I'm not going to. But I'm perfectly fine using a modern-day experience that MANY people are familiar with as an illustration of a spiritual principle. After all, Jesus did this constantly, drawing spiritual analogies, metaphors and parables from the natural world around Him.

Here's my theory: Detail is one reasons why Disneyland is so alluring. What's the big deal about detail? Well, God is all about it--detail, that is. Before we were in the womb, He knew us and already had plans for our lives. He created us, giving us giftings and talents, and made us unique--not a carbon-copy to be found in 6 billion plus. He knows the numbers of hairs on our heads and keeps tracks of the number of tears we've shed. He has created infinite variety within each person...and He highlights these things as being the very things that make us special--that make us who we are.

When I'm at Disneyland, the details make me feel thought-of and welcomed. A place has been made for me (and I definitely pay for it!) The next time I'm at Disneyland, waiting in line for Splash Mountain, or cruising through the underwater land-and-cartoon-scape in the Finding Nemo submarine, I want to take a moment to tell my sons, "See how much detail has gone into creating this ride (and pre-ride)? God has put even more detail into creating you." He thinks about you, He knows you, and He has a place for you.

Yes, there's even more than fun to be had during a trip to the Magic Kingdom.