Our family vacationed in Disney World again this year. For my personality type, vacationing at Disney World shows what brilliance, perfection & a touch of Magic (insanity) can create. I am inspired to tears by Disney World’s attention to detail (even the bathrooms have their own attendant so that they can be immaculate), outrageous goals (watch the story of how it all began) and employee dedication (how do you get people to give their best every performance, everyday!).
After Disney World, we took off on a Disney Cruise which took hospitality to a whole other planet not yet known to man, only to Disney! The last night of our cruise, we watched the performance of Believe. Believe tells the story of a young girl who believes in Magic. Her father is a great thinker and accomplished man who does not embrace her love for Magic because he knows that logic and science and research will produce the results he desires. Eventually, his love for his daughter opens his heart and leads him on a journey to discover the Magic that is within himself and that is beyond himself.Magic or power or the something that we can’t explain or is just beyond our reach, I like to think is God.
This show reminded me of the passage in Mark 9:15-25 where there is a young boy who cannot speak and who is tormented the scriptures say by a spirit. The disciples try to cast it out but they are unable and so they bring the boy to Jesus. Jesus says, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be among you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” The father of the boy says to Jesus, “If you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things can be done for the one who believes.” The father cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
“I believe. Help my unbelief!” I find myself sitting with these same feelings often so I use scripture to help me through times like this. As a Christian, I read in Genesis that God created humanity in the image of God. I am an image bearer of the One True God. I can say that inside me is a touch of Magic. As a Christian, I believe in God who is active in human history and who works with creation to bring about good things. There is Magic that is beyond us and that calls to us if we just believe.
Discussion Questions:
1-What person, place, experience, entertainment show, art work, bible study, preacher…..inspired you and left an imprint on your life?
2-On your journey of faith, what/who inspires you to keep pressing towards the goal of becoming more like Christ?
3-As a church, how can we help inspire others to believe even in their unbelief? Our own church family and those that bravely walk through our doors for the first time.
Amber Mattingly 