Opulence

We recently went on a cruise. I had never been on a cruise ship before, so I had no idea what to expect. Prior to the trip, we received regular communications from the cruise line reminding us to get this or that ready, or to see if we wanted to purchase one of their excursions.

Boarding the ship was an experience in itself. I found out there were almost 3,000 passengers on the cruise and all of us, along with our luggage, had to board in a window of just a few hours. The cruise line had it down to a science, but from my perspective, it was overwhelming. The staff took our luggage, and we wound our way through the lines to board.

We gathered with some friends on the Lido deck where a buffet was set up every day. The variety and amount of food was beyond belief. By then, we were able to get into our cabins where our luggage had been placed for us.

Even though there were about 3,000 on the ship, we began to be recognized by the crew. For example, one morning I got up early and walked to the café to get coffee and tea for us. I was walking back to the cabin when the person taking care of our cabin asked me, by name, if he could open the door for me since my hands were full. This is just one example of the crew’s attentiveness to our needs.

Somewhere near the end of our adventure, I started feeling guilty about the opulence of the experience. Sure, I was having a wonderful time, but I wasn’t used to having people at my beck and call. Opulence is defined as “extreme wealth, lavishness, and an abundance of physical or financial resources. It is often used to describe lifestyles, environments, or possessions that are characterized by extravagant luxury and ostentatious displays of riches.”

This word fits how I was feeling. I also felt that I didn’t deserve this level of luxury. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying taking this kind of vacation, or even this lifestyle, is wrong. I’m just saying that, where I am today, I felt a little bit uncomfortable.

This really hit me last night (almost two weeks after the cruise), while listening to our son’s recap of their trip to Disneyland. They took our 5-year-old granddaughter and had many special (and expensive) experiences. I believe Disney, like the cruise ship we were on, was an expert in providing an opulent experience for participants.

“So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” - Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 ESV

I’m glad I was able to experience the cruise and may again in the future. What I pray is that I’ll always be grateful for the blessings God has bestowed on me and my family and never take them for granted. 

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” - Psalm 23:5

The most important blessing is God loving me and saving me when I don’t deserve it. That is true opulence. All the other stuff is just shifting sand.