Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Truths from the Wizard of Oz

Was Halloween only last week?  Here, it was a mad dash to make Harry Potter robes and scarves - but they turned out decently.  At least three families we know went as Wizard of Oz characters.  Re-listening to the book this past summer, I realized something I hadn't heard before (and I don't think is highlighted in the movie).

In the book, the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy are enslaved to the Wicked Witch of the West.  They have no idea how to get out. Dorothy had been given gifts from Glinda the Good Witch that would have beaten the Wicked Witch easily - but she didn't know it.  The Wicked Witch of the West knew exactly what Dorothy had and plotted to steal what she could.

Glinda had given Dorothy a kiss on the forehead.  Dorothy didn't know the power of that kiss but the Wicked Witch was afraid to hurt Dorothy because of it. The Wicked Witch could be mean to Dorothy but wouldn't do more than that.  

Glinda also gave Dorothy her famous shoes - silver in the book, red in the movie.  Dorothy thought they were just shoes; the Wicked Witch knew they were powerful.  When the Wicked Witch tries to steal them from Dorothy, she reacts by throwing water on the witch and she melts. It was an accident on Dorothy's part, but it sets them free. Dorothy now knows that the shoes are valuable - but still doesn't know their full power.  

As I was listening, I realized that as Christians we are often like Dorothy.  We are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  Do we really understand what that means though?  It is not a magic potion that shields us from all wrong (she was a slave after all) but it does mean that we know who we belong to - even if we are in adverse circumstances.  We are His - no matter what.  Do we believe it?  Do we live like it?

Secondly, the shoes were a gift.  Dorothy didn't realize the power of this gift or know how to use it.  The Bible clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts.  How many of us live as if God has given us nothing to work with?  How many of us have wished we had different gifts?  Do we know what our gifts are and how to use them?  

Dorothy would have stayed enslaved indefinitely!  She could have walked free at any point but she just didn't know it. 

How many of us lived trapped in lies not realizing what it means to be a Son or Daughter of the King?  Dorothy was kissed, but we are sealed by the Holy Spirit.  How many of us have gifts we have never really explored, used or even received?  Dorothy had been given everything she needed by Glinda but she didn't know it.  Instead, she lived as a prisoner. 

Are you living as a prisoner to lies?  Do you know that in Christ Jesus you have EVERYTHING you need for life and godliness?   It was finished at the cross where Jesus died - you can't earn it - but you can receive it as the free gift he offers to ALL who repent, call on his name and believe (Romans 10:9 - 10). 

Look into all that God has for you - don't remain ignorant like Dorothy.  Realize all that you have been given in Jesus and live into the truth - not the lies. 

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