Rachel Fisher, Disney Adult

Matthew 25:14-21 (NIV)

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Reflection:

I am what society refers to as a “Disney Adult.” I have an Annual Pass to Walt Disney World and visit no less than four times a year, mostly with my parents (we are a family of Disney Adults) and fellow millennial companions who also never want to grow up. Last month, I traveled with one of my best friends to Orlando, seizing the opportunity to dress up in coordinating outfits, wear Mickey Mouse ears, and soak up every magical memory. Our most anticipated itinerary item was one final viewing of the nighttime fireworks show, “Happily Ever After,” as it will soon be retired and replaced by a newer, flashier spectacle. Cherished by us both (my friend even incorporated its theme song into her wedding), we secured a spot on Main Street USA in the center of the park, scoping out the best vantage point with plenty of time to spare.

Lo and behold, our advanced placing was impeccable, as the outdoor space around us quickly filled with other eager guests. All was well…that is, until one person opened an umbrella directly in front of us, blocking the lower part of the projection area. Then, as the street lamps began to dim, a woman illuminated the flashlight on her phone, blinding our immediate area. Finally, someone standing behind me decided his voice was preferable over the professional vocalists, singing just loudly enough to be obnoxiously overbearing.

“When did we all decide common courtesy was overrated?!” I thought to myself, steaming with frustration from the bad behavior of my peers. As I ruminated on the pitfalls of the crowd, trumpets blared to signal the start of the performance. Determined to not allow justice to falter, I fumed loudly, calling out those around me who I perceived to be ruining what should have been a celebratory occasion.

Suddenly out of the corner of my eye, I saw a child climb up onto his father’s shoulders. Bitterly, my first thought was, “I hope the people behind him do not care to watch because their sight is now completely blocked!” After all, I had already established how selfish the personalities were around me, and this family was no exception. My heart soured at the notion that I would be incapable to fully enjoy this treasured experience, shifting the prospect of a jubilant, communal event to grasping onto an individual list of complaints.

Yet, with the first burst of light in the sky, humility snapped me out of my dark, brooding spell. Peering up at Cinderella’s Castle, I witnessed the neighboring boy’s face illuminate with the widest grin and twinkle in his eye out of pure wonderment. Impeccably synchronized with the evening’s sweeping score, he then lifted his hands in adoration, unable to resist sharing his unadulterated joy with those around him.

Overcome with emotion (I am a Disney Adult, remember), tears began to stream down my face. Who was I to believe I knew more about the ways of the world than this child? Yes, it is important to be considerate, and people should be held to reasonable standards. However, in this instance, I realized I had squandered a precious opportunity for happiness—both mine and my peers’—by prioritizing my own, rigid righteousness.

Too often we miserly renounce our ability to spread God’s love because we are so caught up in our own (false) perceptions of authority. We think we are paving the way for virtue to triumph when in reality, we are just hiding God’s gifts in the ground, inaccessible not only to ourselves but to others. While I still wanted the people around me to put down their umbrellas, turn off their phones, and keep quiet, I chose to release my animosity and extend compassion. Not only did it change the outlook of my evening, but this act of recognizing the goodness all around me hopefully had positive ripple effects beyond what I could even see. Because despite the flaws we humans possess, Jesus generously beckons each one of us to turn what we are given into an abundant offering of spiritual wealth…both in the Magic Kingdom AND the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you for your generosity of grace. Make me a multiplier of your hope, pursuing nothing but glory and honor for your kingdom. Forgive me for my wicked ways of stamping out joy. Amen.