Storybook Land Month: Do You Trust Me?
This week we conclude our series in honor of Disneyland’s anniversary (on July 17), devoting this month’s posts to the attraction that I consider the most quintessentially “Disney”: Storybook Land Canal Boats.
We started this month of Storybook Land posts with Aladdin, and we end with Aladdin, but this time a little farther along the path.
On the ride, after floating past the city of Agrabah, we float under some archways. These represent the “A Whole New World” scene in the movie. These two vignettes together remind me of one all-important question…
“Do you trust me?”
Aladdin asks Jasmine this question twice, once in the marketplace and once in his guise of Prince Ali. In the first, they are fleeing the guards and he asks her to risk a jump that seems insane and impossible. He reaches out his hand, looks her in the eye, and asks that fateful question. She says she does, then proves it as she takes his hand and they jump to safety—a safety she couldn’t see but he knew was there.
The second time, Jasmine has become frustrated one too many times and yells at him in frustration to jump off the balcony. He does, onto his flying carpet. Of course, she’s captivated and wishes she could fly on it. He offers and she hesitates, so once again he reaches out his hand, looks her in the eye, and asks that fateful question. She says she does, takes his hand, and steps onto that wondrous carpet.
The instant he asks that question the second time, she recognizes him.
Jesus asks us that same question every day, often many times a day. It’s easy to say yes in times of ease. It may even be easy to say yes when it seems we have no other choice. We’re backed into a corner and His way out appears to be the only way out.
But when you have a choice, He still holds out His hand and asks, “Do you trust Me?” And then you must decide. Play it safe or jump. Try your own way or choose His way. Be confident in His presence or panic and doubt.
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know Your name will trust in You,
for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.
“In times of trouble, do you trust Me?”
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
“When it’s easier to take matters into your own hands, do you trust Me?”
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
“Do you rely on your own strength and resources, or do you trust Me?”
When I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I will not be afraid.
What can mortal man do to me?
“When you are afraid, do you trust Me?”
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
“When you’re lacking joy and peace, do you try to find them with temporary pleasures and happiness, or do you trust Me?”
These archways are a reminder that we can discover “A Whole New World” with Jesus, a life we always wanted but never dreamed was possible…if we answer that fateful question with “Yes”, every time He asks.
Question: Like almost everything else in the Christian life, this is a process, a journey. So, how can you choose to say “Yes” one more time today than you did yesterday? Talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.
Randy Crane is passionate about helping Christians, especially those with a Disney affinity, to discover and connect to their GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND VALUE, to build their lives to achieve TRUE SUCCESS AND MEANING, and to POSITIVELY IMPACT their world. For more than two decades, Randy has been leading individuals and teams into a greater joy and child-like appreciation of the world around them, equipping them to reach beyond what they have previously experienced and build a God-given identity and purpose. Ready to experience that for yourself? Tell us where to send SIX free videos all created to help answer the 3 questions you need to experience PEACE, FREEDOM, and PURPOSE!