Back in September of 1976 I decided to enroll in a small bible college on Chicago’s north side. It’s moved out of the city now. I only attended for three semesters, seeing that my only purpose in going there was to gain a better understanding of the scriptures. One day a teacher shared something with the class that has stayed with me for all of these years. He told us that one of the most popular movies ever to hit the big screen was taken from the story of Job - that movie being the Wizard of Oz. He then went on to tell of some parallels. The land of Oz sounding so much like the land of Uz (Job’s homeland) was only his starting point. But continuing he reminded us of things such as the horrific crises that had befallen both Job and Dorothy. Then there was the fact that both of them had three companions who would make an effort to guide these hurting souls through their storms. Whether he made any other comparisons I don’t remember. However it was for some years that I would every now and then think back to that day. No doubt this was because I’d found what he had to say very interesting, especially since the Wizard of Oz was always a favorite movie of mine. Whenever I did give the matter thought, I myself would try to come up with a similarity or two in the stories. At times I was successful. In one of these instances I thought of the unnerving tone of voice that the Wizard spoke with when addressing Dorothy and her friends. Then I realized how the Almighty broke in on Job and his companions at the start of the 38th chapter; it seemed evident that He too spoke in this manner. On another occasion I remembered how the wicked witch - like Satan - would devise scheme after scheme, while being bent on the destruction of a righteous one. Then lastly, Dorothy like Job, sought help from a power who was believed to have no limitations in bringing one through a crisis - even of the most burdensome kind.
In the end we know that both Job and Dorothy were delivered from their trials and restored to their former states - Job over and beyond. Once again all was well. I would say that it’s the minority of the earth’s people that undergo the kind of troubles that are the worst of the worst, while others are moved to comfort, advise, and support them. Nevertheless, if it were you or I under such attack, we may not want friends like Job’s to be delivering their thoughts to us daily. Surely we’d choose Dorothy’s companions. But in speaking of them, we see that they had problems of their own. They represent the vast majority of the world, their afflictions not exactly earthshaking. I in fact see everyday believers being a lot like Dorothy’s newfound friends. I believe they exemplify us well.
Let’s take the scarecrow. When the meek little girl from Kansas first encountered him, directions were the main thing on her mind. But the scarecrow wasn’t very helpful. He pointed one way, then the opposite way, finally telling her that it may be both ways. When asked to make up his mind he replied that he couldn’t because he hadn’t a brain. Think of it. What a terrible situation to be in. Well, the fact of the matter is, that upon our conversion to Christ, we will often find ourselves with the mind-set of the scarecrow. What I’m saying is, that if we honestly devote ourselves to seeking out the truths of God, through communion with Him, as well as searching the scriptures, then a tough road lies before us. There will be times when we see a matter one way, then another way, then possibly where it can be a little of both. At times, like the scarecrow, we may even wonder if our mind hasn’t taken leave of us. Take heart; it’s only growing pains. The apostle Paul has the answer for us in the 13th chapter of I Corinthians. “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then (in His presence) face to face.” In other words, spiritual matters can often appear a bit blurry as we gaze through the veil that hangs between heaven and earth - but not so when we one day cross over to the other side. However, from where we presently find ourselves, our understanding will never be made complete. Even the Christian who wholeheartedly dedicates himself - and with prayer - to adopting a right theology, will spend a lifetime in seeing its development, and then the fine tuning of it to follow. But until then it will not be a rarity to change our outlook on an issue. I once had a friend who opened my eyes so that I saw a matter differently. I was looking forward to seeing him again, so that I could tell him that he had convinced me. When we met I told him of the new insight I had received from him. He only replied, “Oh that; I don’t believe that way anymore.” Being as influential on me as he was, I was left hanging in limbo for the next few days. Nevertheless when the smoke cleared I was fully sold on my newfound belief, and I hold to it today - thirty years later.
To search for truth is so major a part of the believer’s pilgrimage in this world. For I’m sure it is evident to us by now that all churches do not believe all things alike. More than this, we’ve seen how all of the people of the same church aren’t in total agreement with one another on some theological issues. It is why Paul writes, “And He himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…”. You can be sure that this will never occur, until like Jesus we are glorified at the great catching away; though up until then our heavenly Father ever spurs us on, saying in Jeremiah, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Who then will discover the most precious pearls? And who will come upon the finest jewels? They will be those who with a humble heart dig the deepest with the most resolve, and love the truth above all things. These will gain the mind of God. No longer will they be like Dorothy’s scarecrow friend. No more will they believe one thing about a matter, only to change their conviction as they travel on. They will cease from pointing a fellow seeker in one direction - and then another. Instead they will come to the place where their God will remove from them a head of hay and grant them the mind of Christ. At that time, “we will no longer be as children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine,” like Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “but we will speak the truth in love, growing up into Him in all things; that is into the Head who is Christ.” Praise be to the Lord for His great grace and all of His tender mercies.
As Dorothy and the scarecrow continued on the yellow brick road they came across a man made of tin. The man was rusted at all of his joints; even his mouth had rusted shut. Discovering an oil can Dorothy began to oil his mouth first, enabling him to speak. He then started telling his story. The man of tin had been going through a very discouraging time in his life. And so it came about that while he was chopping wood one day it began to storm. Seeing no reason to escape the rain - for his life had become a heavy burden - he remained where he was until he had rusted solid. After describing what had happened to him he then began to tell Dorothy and the scarecrow of what his great misfortune was. The tinsmith forgot to give him a heart. I can easily see how the tin man can depict some believers who have wholeheartedly set out to follow Christ. However, on their journey they hit a roadblock - and there they chose to remain, allowing the storm that the enemy sent their way to convince them that they had seen the last of the sun; they then let the gray clouds speak to them of a bleak future while the rain poured down upon their heads, rusting them solid. But the regenerated man of God must never give up, no matter the circumstances - not when we serve the One who is always stirred from His place by faith and hope - not to forget patience. Hold your ground! It is the call to us from heaven. And if the call is answered, then we can be certain that the sun will return one day - and not a moment late. Instead of the gray steel sky above there will shine the rainbow; and in the place of rust there will be oil. Although it won’t be applied to us from a tin can but it will be poured upon us by the Holy Spirit from heaven - the healing life of God coming down like never before. We are on the move again.
The tin man was so glad upon receiving a heart of his own. For the first time in his life he could actually feel love. His great day had arrived. Good for the tin man. But hear this. There is something within every soul born of God that is infinitely greater than a new heart, though a new heart is a part of it all. It has to do with seven simple words that Jesus once spoke to his hearers - words not at all difficult to interpret: “The kingdom of God is within you.” I see this as an astounding statement. Not only do we receive of God a new heart along with our new birth, but everything that pertains to the eternal kingdom to come is now made a living part of us as it becomes housed in our human temple. We know that it doesn’t come in its fullness, though as we grow we receive of its increase. Something more to be considered is that Jesus spoke those seven words to Old Testament people, who in their day could neither receive the kingdom nor the birth from above. This tells me that simply because of the fact that we have been made in His image, we are then born into the world with something of His kingdom already within us. This then would be the meaning of the scripture, “That was the true Light which lights every man that comes into the world.” That Light is the Life of God, and a Light that is ours, that is if we love the Light over the darkness. Surely it beats the tin man’s gift; for the kingdom of God in all of its power and wisdom and glory, will one day belong to the seed of the Most High - an inheritance forevermore.
Lastly there was the lion. His problem was fear. And this king of the jungle was fearful to the hilt. He begged Dorothy to speak to the Wizard for him. So fearful was he that it never even entered his mind to speak for himself. I think it safe to say that those who suffer from the kind of fear that tormented the cowardly lion are the few. But as followers of Christ, I’m sure that we have all become afraid at times. Only on occasion it may have been to the extreme, though we must understand that any type of fear can be used as a weapon against us by the dark army of Satan. And it is what that army has been commanded to employ against those who truly devote themselves to the Triune God. There is but one remedy for his lies and his fears - these two always intertwined like a rope. That remedy - Holy Spirit. It is He who gives courage in those anxious and troublesome moments. But we must trust Him. There is none who inspires boldness in the believer like the Holy Spirit of God. After He had come upon Jesus’ disciples on the Day of Pentecost we know how they were filled with courage; yes, and courage to spare. The Spirit searches the earth for one whose heart is in pursuit of God, that He may uproot their terrors and send them forth unafraid. There is no greater example of this in scripture than Gideon. Once fear was all he knew. However, a visitation from heaven turned him into the mighty man that his God had already seen him as. The upshot - he led an army to defeat the Midianites. It was a victory by which Israel would enjoy peace for forty years.
In February of 1991 I entered into an itinerant preaching/teaching ministry. It lasted up until February of 2006. How did this happen? One day I believed that God told me to drop my mop and step out. When I told my pastor, he confirmed it. He had me speak in our church about once a month for a period of a year; then he told me I was ready. My experience could have been put in a thimble. However, I felt as my pastor did. And so I had brochures printed up, sent them out, and followed with phone calls. Today when I look back I truly believe that this endeavor was successful. But if the truth was told I would have to say that fifteen years of public speaking was many times accompanied by fear. Why? From the very beginning I understood all too well that I hadn’t much experience in what I was setting out to do. Nevertheless the day of my first engagement had arrived, and I had no choice but to put my best foot forward. I did - He met me. Then He did what He always does in these cases. In my weakness He put His strength. And He made me to see how the message touched many hearts that morning. I had launched out. But this was just the beginning; there’d yet be times when within minutes of being called to the pulpit I’d have feelings of inadequacy. Then there were those instances when I feared that my message may not have been as prepared as it ought to have been. On some occasions I’d just feel terribly out of sorts; and knowing that my introduction would be soon, I realized that something had to awaken my spirit quick. Twice the flu came suddenly upon me while on the way to my destination. And the list goes on. But it’s not the list that’s important. Although we have an enemy who would like us to think that it is. What is important is to turn away from ourselves in times of adversity and towards our Heavenly Father, and in faith believing He will meet us where we are.
I lie not when I say that whenever the enemy had a plan to make me stumble, it never came to pass. In fact - believe it or not - it was in those situations that I was the most effective, including two times with the flu fresh on me. Explain it? The Living God. Somewhere deep within me I believed that in my weakness He would put His strength, just as He did on the very first day I ventured out. I don’t ever remember being disappointed.
We who are followers of Christ, so often settle for a good deal less than what the Father has in His hand to give. Yet I am not one who believes in claiming anything I have a mind to. Such thinking leaves no room for trials, through which we become strong and wise. And so, discernment is needed in some instances. But if we should discern that deliverance or healing is just up the road, then we need to prepare ourselves to embrace it. Now the time has come for the Lord’s medication. It’s called, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I don’t know what the Wizard gave to that old cowardly lion - or for that matter, what the wizards of this world give to those who seek after them. However I know this. If its potency was multiplied by ten thousand, it would still be worlds away from what the Father has in store for those who seek Him, know Him, and love Him.
When all is said and done, I sometimes think that it is Dorothy and not her friends that we believers identify with most. Just like her, we all want to go home someday. We look ahead to that time more than we could ever put into words. In this we are just like the young girl from Kansas. Home meant everything to her. And though we have never walked within the walls of that marvelous city, built and designed especially for us, we may at times feel like we have. That’s because it is in us - in the deepest part of our being. However, there it is not so hidden a place to our spirit man. I believe that it’s when we tap into him that we may experience a fleeting connection with that heavenly country. This shouldn’t be too hard for us to accept. After all, we know the day will come when the full reality of our departure will be but a breath away. One day we will breathe our last, only to find ourselves heading through the birth canal and out into an indescribable land. The silver cord is severed - we are born again. The Light is like nothing ever before seen. We are home.
Dorothy was so glad to find herself home at last and in her own room. This was because the land she had visited was foreign to her and she had no citizenship there. Likewise it will be with us when we open our eyes to the world that we’ll surely know as home. We will know for certain that it was only for a time that we had become a stranger in a land not our own. It will be then that our joy will exceed Dorothy’s - and by many times more than can ever be counted. For one day Kansas will cease to be. But His kingdom is forever.
- J. Pecoraro
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