When you go to Disneyland where do you spend most of your time? There is Jungle Land, Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, and Tomorrow Land, etc. I am not sure if Walt was intentional about this, but these “lands” represent the disparate lenses through which people see the world. Some see it as a jungle; other as a place of adventure; others a place to explore; others as a realm of fanciful enchantment! The noteworthy point is this: the way we view the world affects the way we live.
A century ago when Christian teaching prevailed, men saw the world as a battleground. They believed in the devil and hell, and they believed in God and Heaven—the two always in conflict. But over the last 50 years, American culture has changed our world view. Men no longer think of the world in such ‘negative’ terms, but as a place to explore, find adventure, and enjoy life--a playground!
In 1960, A. W. Tozer warned that this “playground” theme was being increasingly embraced by evangelical Christians. Was he right? Fifty years later, our churches have become culturally-sensitive, consumer-driven, customer-friendly places, whose aim seems to be more about helping people get the most out of life on earth than preparation for the next.
It is true the Christian walk is an adventure, and that we are called to explore the depths of God. And it is not necessarily wrong to use our imagination to reflect on life in heaven with Jesus. But I am compelled today to remind us not to get caught up in the world of self-exploration and self-actualization. While we are here on earth, we are living in a battle zone, and must ever be on our guard against Satan’s schemes. So much depends upon this that we cannot afford to forget it.
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