A Safe Place
My grandson said, “This is supposed to be the happiest place on earth.”
He was at Disney World. Last week the family took a trip to Disney World in Orlando. Nana had her two children and her two grandchildren in the Magic Kingdom. The trip was perfected by granddad staying home in north Louisiana.
I told the truth, “I don’t do Disney.”
On Thursday night the whole tribe had an unscheduled, unplanned adventure. In the park two unrelated events happened. The first was a fight. The second was a balloon popping. The second event stirred alarms, and the park went into active shooter mode. People went diving into shops. They hid in storage rooms. They ducked under clothes racks. A few people got to experience the secret walkway behind all the shops. My six all managed to dive for safety together. The situation lasted for only twenty minutes or so. I can’t imagine the feelings.
It was at that point that our oldest grandson issued his commentary on the event. The happiest place on earth was on active shooter lockdown. He was stuffed into a closet with a bunch of strangers. I don’t believe the story was picked up outside of the Orlando news media. Everyone was safe.
This falls under the general heading of “stuff happens.”
When it does, what is your plan of action?
It is interesting that the Bible assumes that “stuff happens.” All sorts of stuff happened to the righteous man Job. His friends asked why. The New Testament writers told the early church, don’t be surprised when hard times come. They happen to test and purify our faith.
John’s gospel records Jesus saying, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In John’s gospel the story of Jesus in the boat with the disciples on the stormy night was told differently. In John’s version of the story, Jesus does not calm the storm. John informs his readers, “The boat landed on the other shore.” It illustrates how Jesus overcomes trouble.
John’s point is perfect when life at the happiest place on earth goes on lockdown. Jesus may not calm all storms, but your faith in Him will get you to your destination.