I grew up a Disney kid. The original Disney Mouseketeers were a bit older than me, but not that much. The original Disney World in California was pretty new and Disney-themed movies were readily embraced as a clean, safe, wholesome view for the entire family. Life as a child was filled with wishing on stars, wishing wells, saying “birthday wishes” before blowing out candles, following leprechauns and wishing for a pot of gold, and all sorts of other Disney ‘magic.’ (That is a whole other blog topic!)
I’m not anti-Disney and I don’t mean to pop any childhood fantasies, and I am all FOR fostering creative imagination. But it has given me pause to reflect on how our “cute” childhood traditions actually sometimes convey a subtle and pervasive belief system that has lasting effect on us. When whimsical, mystical fantasies become our mantra, we act these out in opposition of the truth of real hope. As with any message that is not based on truth, it has an erosive effect that acts COUNTER to faith-based beliefs. We recently were discussing how this leads us to maintain meaningless superstitious comments like “good luck”, “good wishes”, “knock on wood,” and such. Comments like these seem harmless enough but in fact betray evidence of a faith-based life.
It is kind of like a nervous giggle in response to something we know deep down isn’t right or beneficial.
Some of you may be thinking, “Wait. Hold on. It’s not that big a deal. Let kids enjoy being a kid, even if it means believing in things that are not true. They can learn later on it was just pretend.” You might be right. I know there is much debate among believers about the Santa and Easter Bunny stories. But I see how pervasive some of this thinking has been in my life and how it continues to sneak into my language from time to time. And perhaps it even influences how we pray, with more of a ‘wish’ than a real expectation that God is actually listening and is already orchestrating His answer! I don’t think it is something we should regard with condemnation, but maybe it is a point of awareness and a teaching moment to be true to ourselves, and to let our thoughts, our speech and our actions respond according to the truth of real hope, and not fanciful and superstitious wishes.
Everyone believes in something. Let’s continually examine our faith and live like we believe it. Just make sure it is strong enough to lean your whole life on, now and for eternity, and that it serves as a faithful teacher to others, especially the children. Live real.
“Let God be found true.” Romans 3:4
