As my family was leaving the park after a fun day at Disney, the loudspeakers were playing a happy song with the chorus, “In everything you do, celebrate you!” The song reminded me of the earlier parade that encouraged us to celebrate our dreams, “whatever they are.” My 12-year-old son, the apparent cynic in the family, proclaimed that his dream was to take over the world. Should that be celebrated? My dream was for free refills, but that was dashed too.
Disney seems to be selling smiles and self-esteem. This makes good business sense, as no one would hang out in a place that berated them for their shortcomings. Disney has amazing amusement parks, and the quickest way to amuse people is to play catchy songs that tells them they’re great.
I get that, but it’s still important to spell out the message of Disney to see how it stacks up against the gospel. Those who unreflectively hum the world’s songs are most likely to be influenced by them.
The Disney gospel encourages narcissism. It suggests that our main problem is that we don’t celebrate ourselves enough, so others don’t realize how special we are. This positive message is actually cruel, for the poor fellow who follows their advice—“In everything you do, celebrate you!”—won’t be married long. And he won’t have many friends.
The apostle Paul offered a far better gospel. He confessed that he was a sinner; so despite his strong reasons to feel superior, all his accomplishments were “worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). The truth is we are special, far more than a Disney song can tell. It’s because we belong to Jesus. So in everything you do, celebrate Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Ruth 1:1-22
More:
Read Colossians 3:12-25 to learn how we should live “in everything we do.”
Next:
Why is it important to consider the words of your favorite songs? What lyrics have subtly influenced your mind and heart?
solos on March 15, 2013 at 2:05 am
‘ I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of His resurrection’
for me is to be death to my being and allowing Christ reign in my mortal body, to allow Him my wll and allow His will to govern my desire.
‘and participation in His sufering, becoming like Him in His death’
Is to be like Christ who let go royalty in heaven to come make sure I have life eternal and abundantly also, by suffering on the cross. I need to be death to my desire of self gratification and surrender to the desire of Christ in earthly life.
zaneyzelda on March 15, 2013 at 9:44 am
I was insulted by this devotion. I’m 62 and I’m a very strong Believer, and I loved Disney, their movies and songs etc brought me joy and hope. Please don’t bash them, Wendy Benedetti
zaneyzelda on March 15, 2013 at 6:38 pm
I got your reply. You know, I’m 62 years old, and I lived thru Santa and the Easter Bunny and Disney and I am a very strong Believer. I guess for ” baby Christians”, a warning that it is not Christian based might be good, but how many Christians do you think believe that Disney is Christian based. it would be interesting also to know your age, as I would definitely say Disney changed a LOT after Walt Disney died, BUT,,,,,,,,, these things that brought me joy and happiness …….. they added to me and my joy in Christ. I think there are many things you may enjoy that are not Christian based, but they add joy to your life……. golf, fishing , cooking etc. I’ve even heard it said that having this ” belief” in Santa helps the kids with Christ, because neither can be seen and kids have great imaginations. anyhow, I just don’t agree with you. There are many more true evils in this world than Disney. You have whole generation of STRONG BELIEVErs in my age group and I doubt that any of them would say they were negativesly affected by all the Disney we absorbed ! Wendy B
mike wittmer on March 15, 2013 at 4:02 pm
zaneyzelda:
I didn’t mean to offend you, and I agree that there is much to enjoy at Disney. Disney doesn’t claim to be a Christian organization, and so it shouldn’t be a surprise if a recurring theme in its messaging is sub-Christian. If we aren’t aware of that we may easily adopt unchristian perspectives without realizing it.
zaneyzelda on March 15, 2013 at 6:41 pm
also, here is a statement you made : The Disney gospel encourages narcissism. It suggests that our main problem is that we don’t celebrate ourselves enough, so others don’t realize how special we are.”
Can you please tell me where you ” got the Disney Gospel”. Was that just a summation on your part ? I can see some songs, some movies, but all of Disney ? Wendy B
mike wittmer on March 15, 2013 at 4:03 pm
solos: I think your sentiment is right. We must die to ourselves so we can rise with Christ. This is very different from the message that we hear in our culture–even in its best forms.
zaneyzelda on March 15, 2013 at 6:42 pm
I know we have to die to selves, but I don’t think experiencing Disney is going to tweak us. One must a be a pretty weak Believer in Christ to be so easily tweaked and I bet Jesus HImself would go to Disneyland if He was here today
journeywithjesus on March 17, 2013 at 12:29 pm
I found this devotional really helpful and plan to use it as a focus for discussion with a ladies group this week. Thank you.
zaneyzelda on March 17, 2013 at 12:52 pm
journey with Jesus ……………… I am not a sheep, I love God, and I am His Sheep, but in this world I am not one of the docile followers who take everything man says…………….. so take it to your women’s group, as they are most often sheep, and I imagine they will swallow, it, Take it to a group of men and see what they say ????????? or talk to kids who have just been to Disneyland and see if they think it was not Godly etc. ???????????????
winn collier on March 18, 2013 at 9:28 pm
So wait…you didn’t get free refills?
zaneyzelda on March 18, 2013 at 9:38 pm
to whom are you speaking winn collier ?