Oz DID give something to the tin man. But nothing to Dorothy

.

I remember as a Christian youth my friends and I would goof around while walking somewhere and be singing "we're off to see the wisdom!...the wonderful wisdom of God.."...and we'd joke around saying "pharasees, and saducees and scribes..OH MY...pharasees and saducess and scribes OH MY.."

The Wizard of Oz movie taught me something today as I remembered part of it while doing dishes.
I was thinking that all of Dorothy's friends found what they came to Oz hoping to find. But Dorothy herself did not. It wasn't Oz that liberated her, it was Glynda.
Even though Oz promised her deliverance, he wasnt able to come through. He himself came into that world unexpectantly and was only a temporary god of it.
But what really struck me in thinking about it all was Glynda's words "You've had the power to go home all along!" all she had to do was knock those ruby reds together and bam she's home.

Actually 2 things stand out here to me. One being Dororthy came seeking what she already had the ability to accomplish, the other being that her buddies all received a solution they welcomed happily and were satisfied with, yet all were counterfit answers.

I wonder if I have untapped potential. Gifts and power that I just havent learned to exercise. Maybe I've had the ability all along to overcome lifelong sins and weaknesses. Or to claim the desire of my heart I've been relentlessly pursuing and praying for & not finding.

I have a dear friend who's one of those Christians who hears God's voice just a little clearer than the rest of us. Like the person in movies that can see an angel in the outfield or "dead people" when no one else can.
I aksed her to describe the voice she hears and she had the most wonderful response. She said its like the voice Elijah heard only a little bigger and louder. Still an impression on the heart only she had learned you just have to "work a little harder" at some things.
I still wish it was as simple as clicking my heels 3 times.

The wizard of this present world grants wishes to those who have a desire and come to him for help. They're looking to fill a void and deep-felt need even if they arent aware that's what they're really doing. They're missing something and feel imcomplete. Problem is, he takes care of them by giving them something cheap and imitiation, a quick solution that doesnt truly remedy their need. Yet they go away happy thinking everything's better now.

They're settling for a plastic clock rather than the heart of flesh God is offering.
"And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 11:19)

They're tricked into thinking the approval of men's ordinations and certificates of knowledge on paper are a substitute for the heavenly wisdom of the Living God being offered to them.
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness." (1 Corinthians 3:19)

Does a medal of courage really make you courageous? How does God really define courage?
"Be of good courage, and HE....... shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord" (Psalm 31:24)
"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1)


At the end of the movie Dorothy's there in her bed with loved ones surrounding her, and she says "all I remember is the place was beautiful and I kept telling everyone "I wanna go home, I wanna go home"

Me too kid.
Even though He has given us all things here richly to enjoy, "...we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Rom 8:23)



.