While we were waiting to meet her at the main gate to enter the park, it was fascinating to watch the many people’s faces as whole families dressed alike in matching outfits, some running toward the gate in excitement, children laughing and people smiling. The mood of anticipation and expectation of a day at the “happiest place on earth” made this a curiously pleasant environment.
I didn’t notice anyone who was visibly bitter or frustrated about going to Disneyland. There wasn’t anyone deciding to stop for coffee or donuts instead of going straight in. People weren’t deciding to wait for another 30 minutes until the jazz band inside the gate finished playing (since they don’t prefer jazz).
I watched hundreds of people who were about to pay ridiculous amounts of money for food, drink and fun – and they weren’t upset or bitter. In some ways, they were happy about getting a chance to willingly part with their money in a generous way to have this experience.
There are many families who struggle to get out of the house, arguments ensuing all the way down Notre Dame Blvd, and then trying to put on smiles as they walk in the door. Some purposely come to our building late because they don’t value the musical portion of worship. Others feel like they are being pushed or pulled into church by a spouse or a parent, and they aren’t feeling like this is going to be the “happiest place on earth,” but fear that instead of experiencing joy they will experience judgment and shame. Others are concerned that they will be pressured to give their money in offerings to something they aren’t sure is effective in changing lives.
I have adjusted what I do on Sundays so that I arrive at Neighborhood Church with growing expectation, not a mundane attitude of going through the motions, hoping that this time “I’ll get lucky” and God will visit in a powerful and loving way.
I’ve come to understand that “getting my hopes up” begins to create an atmosphere of faith inside my heart and all around me. It’s not a naïve belief that God is always going to do what I want Him to do, when I want to do it. Expectation is one of the evidences of growing faith.
If so, I highly encourage you to take a look at how you arrange your Sunday mornings prior to our worship service – so that you can arrive with anticipation and expectation that is high. In doing so, you will find another aspect of “life to the fullest” that Jesus intends for us to receive every Sunday and church becomes your “happiest place on earth”.