Isn’t it ironic how some of life’s most important lessons aren’t learned in the classroom at all?
My high school English teacher, Mrs. Kotyuk, had a poster on her wall that humorously testified to this very fact.
It was one of those “All I Really Need to Know in Life, I learned from ________” posters.
I’m sure you’ve seen one before — and chances are, your teacher had one, too! 🤓
The concept for the posters came from a book written in 1986 titled, “All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in Kindergarten.”
And since then, there’s been no shortage of spin-off themes, ranging anywhere from Star Trek to Mexican hat-dancing 🤣 — each showcasing it’s own unique list of witty little tongue-in-cheek adages that apply to life.
The idea of life lessons learned outside the classroom never rang truer than it did last week when the kids were out of school for spring break, and we decided to take them to the local theme park.
I’ll tell you what, school may have been out, but visiting a theme park in peak season is an education all its own. 😳
And now I somehow feel strangely qualified 🤔 to write an “All I Really Need to Know” list of my very own 😳🤣😜😬.…
ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW, I LEARNED FROM A DAY AT THE THEME PARK:
1. Good things come to those who wait.
— that is, as long as the ride doesn’t experience technical difficulties and have to shut down after you’ve waited 2 hours in line. 🙄🙄🙄 (Not that I would know from experience or anything…🤣).
I guess we could’ve bought the “fast passes” that let you skip the line, but we’re a little too budget conscious (aka cheap) for that…
So, as I stood in the lines for hours on end, one of the thoughts that crossed my mind was: Why are there so many people willing to wait in a 2 hour line for a 3 minute ride — but won’t attend a 2 hour worship service that has eternal impact on their souls? 😔
Maybe it’s because it’s because in Christ’s kingdom, there are no fast passes. You can’t just buy your way out of line. In fact, He promises that “the last shall be first, and the first last.” (Matthew 20:16)
What that really means is that those who cut ahead in this life for their own personal gain, won’t be rewarded by God in eternity. But it’s those who wait patiently, putting the commands of God before their own desires, and the needs of others before their own needs, who will be rewarded in the final judgment.
2. Just enjoy the ride.
The lines may have been long, but the rides were still short — as is this life.
In fact, sometimes this life feels like a roller coaster itself! We’re buckled in to the very end and in some ways all we can do is hang on and try to enjoy the ride.
Though we are ultimately fixing our eyes on Jesus and looking forward to Heaven, through the ups and downs, twists and turns, God does wants us to find some joy in this short life —
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot.” – Ecclesiastes 5:18
3. The best things in life are free.
They say you get what you pay for…well, except at theme parks, where you end up paying $75 dollars for a couple of chicken tenders and a non-refillable coke. 🤣
(My husband learned this the hard way …turns out the $5 one-use paper cups now have little sensors on the bottom that detect if you try to fill your drink more than once. 🙄)
But, wait! The good news is, for the low, low price of only $18, you can buy a reusable plastic cup that is good for unlimited fountain drink refills throughout the park.
Sound like a steal? Sure, compared to the paper cups…but the only catch is it’s only good for one day…if you bring the cup back to the park with you the next day, you have to pay an additional $11 to reactivate it. 😳
Listen, I may be thirsty, but I ain’t that thirsty. I’ll take my chances on an ambulance and a saline drip before I consent to that kind of highway robbery. 😂
And in comparison, Jesus’ offer has never sounded sweeter.
His water is free: “…I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts’” (Revelation 21:6) and “…whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
4. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
It’s not just the crowds, costs, and coasters that are hard on you at the theme park, but sometimes it’s the elements themselves. Weather-wise, you never know what a day at the park is going to throw your way.
Cold and rain? Heat and sun? Either way, it pays to plan ahead and come prepared.
And it starts with listening to the forecast and heeding it’s warnings.
If there’s a chance of rain, bring your umbrella…or you’ll end up soaked and miserable…(or out $20 bucks for an oversized plastic trash bag, otherwise known as a poncho 😂).
If the forecast calls for sunny skies, you’ll definitely need plenty of sunscreen —- either that or plenty of aloe after it’s all said and done. 😂
God says we should heed the warnings in our spiritual lives as well…he wants us to be conscientious and prudent in our spiritual actions…not just “learning the hard way” and then asking for forgiveness all the time —
“And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’” – I Samuel 15:22
5. Never judge a book by its cover.
Our sons have recently taken an interest in the Harry Potter books, which is why we chose to visit Universal over Disney this time — so they could check out the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. 😊
But it didn’t take long to realize that we weren’t the only ones there for that reason. The Harry Potter section was easily the most popular part of the park.
People were not only flocking to the rides there, but to the shops as well. They came out carrying interactive wands, drinking butter beers, and wearing the classic Hogwarts’ robes all around the park.
Honestly, it was neat to see such enthusiasm…but there were some people wearing robes that I would have otherwise never pegged as Harry Potter fans.
I witnessed people of all races, ages, and sexes traipsing about the park, much as if they were at Hogwarts itself.
And that’s what really got me thinking…how often are we guilty of pegging people as not likely to receive the gospel? When in reality, they could be the very ones who need to hear it most!
How can we deny any individual the opportunity to one day wear a robe…and a crown? (Mark 16:15)
***********************************************
Despite the crowds and the costs, at the end of the day, the kids said they had the best day ever, they both got to ride their first big roller coaster (and I had personally learned a lot more than I bargained for)…so I’d call it a success.
But our “dogs were barking” so-to-speak, we were tired, and just ready to go home!
How about you? Have you ever felt that way?
Spiritually speaking, this life has its wonderful moments, but it can also wear you down worse than a day at the theme park! But the reality is, we won’t be here forever. Our admission is limited and our passes will eventually expire.
When they do, will you be ready to go home?
The only way to know for sure is by obeying God’s Word…after all, when it really comes down to it…
All You Really Need to Know, You Can Learn From the Bible. ❤️
Until next time…
-PWAP