Lots of liners have asked me about the daily devotions I talk about in my family trip report (still incomplete a year later, but I’m trying). So I thought I’d share them with anyone interested.
Before our family trip last year, I put together some short, Bible devotions for our family. We read them each day in our room or on Disney Transportation to prepare our hearts in gratitude and worship to God for the gift of a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation.
I had only written them in bullet point form for my own use, so now I’m going back over them one-by-one to fill in the gaps and to make them readable. Here’s the first. Enjoy.
Disney World, Here We Come!
A Family Devotion for the First Day of Vacation
It’s finally here! Today we pack up and go to Walt Disney World!
We’ve been anxiously counting down the days since we first decided to go. 45 days ‘til Disney… 20 days ‘til Disney… 3 days! 2 days!! TOMORROW!!!
Every idle moment has been filled with thoughts about this amazing journey we’re about to take—and we simply can’t contain our excitement!
Discussion Question: What are you most excited about our trip, and why?
God designed us to get excited about cool things, many of which we’ll see at Disney World. He gave us a natural curiosity to explore and study His creation. He gave us music, laughter, science, taste buds and delicious food. He gave us amazing family and friends that make us so happy we could burst!
But most importantly, because of the gospel, He gave us the opportunity to know Him and to be with Him forever.
Going to Disney World can be pretty exciting, but think for a second how much more excited we’ll be on that glorious day when we get to enter Heaven and meet Jesus face to face!
The apostles were so excited about going to Heaven that they hardly had words to describe it.
- Paul said, “But, as it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear
heard, nor the heart of man imagined,’ what God has prepared for
those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9) - Peter talked about how incredibly perfect it is, that we can look
forward to, “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and
unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4)
Even more exciting than what Heaven will look like, is who will be waiting to greet us—the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3)
Discussion Question: What are you most excited about in Heaven, and why?
Jesus is creating an incredible place for you and me to enjoy His grace and presence together forever. And even though Disney World is going to be pretty cool, it will pale in comparison to Heaven’s unending beauty. Praise the Lord!!
Prayer: Jesus, as we enjoy all the fun at Disney World over the next few days, help us to remember that you have given us so much more to look forward to. Thank you for preparing an amazing home for us in Heaven. Thank you that you came to die on the cross and rose again so that we could join you there someday. - Amen