Disneyland likes to call itself “The Happiest Place on Earth.” It’s a marketing slogan, and a good one.
A few years ago my entire family spent a vacation at Disney World in Orlando, and to mark the occasion my wife Sharon bought us all matching T-shirts, which featured a picture of the iconic castle and the words, “Happiest Place on Earth” underneath.
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There was a method to her purchase. Not only was it a gesture of unity, but it helped us keep track of each other, especially the young grandkids, amongst the moving crowds in the park.
I’ve worn that T-shirt many times since then, and sometimes it gets me thinking, what really is the happiest place on Earth? Is it the recliner in your living room while watching a good TV show, a glass of sweet tea in your hand? A relaxing day lying in the sun, watching the waves gently embrace the shoreline at the beach? Taking a brisk walk in the cool breeze of the mountains as you observe the amazing architecture of nature? Pumping your fist and slapping high-fives with your playing partners after sinking that long putt on the golf course? Jubilantly celebrating your favorite football team’s victory with 80,000 other delirious fans in the stadium? Maybe it’s in church, enjoying a meal, singing hymns and fellowshipping with other believers.
If you think about it, the answer probably should be all of the above. The Bible says happy is not a place — it’s a relationship with Jesus.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps. 37:4). In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Rom. 15:13). And then, of course, there is the famous and encouraging verse in Philippians that confidently states, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Get the idea?
The happiest place on Earth is wherever you and God are together. He’s always there. All you have to do is join Him.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Ken Lass is a retired Birmingham television news and sports anchor and an award-winning columnist for numerous publications and websites.
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