Recently we watched The Wizard of Oz as a family, finally introducing our boys to this classic from so many years ago. Not only did we watch the movie, we have also been listening to Mackenzie Koppa’s The Same Page podcast where she so brilliantly reads this literary tale to her listeners. The boys and I are hooked!  To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been a fan of the movie.  And I have never read the book.  My expectations of the enjoyment our boys would find in this movie were quite slim.  However, the unexpected happened, to my utter surprise, I came away having enjoyed the movie.  Not only that, but I saw a very valuable lesson in it.  Let me share.

For some years now our family verse has been Hebrews 11:6 CSB which states,

“Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

As I watched young Dorothy travel, unbeknownst to her, to Munchkin Land, she began a journey home that would forever impact her and those with whom she came in contact.  Upon her arrival she received a cheery, warm welcome from the Munchkins, whom she had unknowingly freed from the tyranny of the Wicked Witch of the East.  Without concern for her heroism, Dorothy desired the familiarity of Kansas.  In search of home, she and Todo, headed toward Oz, along a path of yellow brick, to seek a way home from the Wizard.

I began to think about Dorothy’s predicament.  Alone. In an unfamiliar place. In search of her way home.  Sounds slightly like my spiritual journey.  I am in no way a hero.  However, I have found myself alone and longing for home.  Faith is my yellow brick road.  Along my journey there’ve been times of encouragement.  There’ve been times I’ve wandered into some shady territory. Some on the path are just beginning and others are nearing home.  I’ve found comfort in knowing I’m not on this road alone.  But there have been times I’ve come across those who have need of knowledge, compassion or courage. And at times the enemy has used what God intended for good, to cause me shame and harm. Yet what I’ve seen is that I need others to make this journey with me.

Faith has woven into its very fiber discipleship.  This yellow brick road was never meant to be walked alone.  We need one another.  Just as Dorothy found solace in her traveling companions, let us, brothers and sisters, find solace in walking this journey together. Living life side by side with accountability and strength. We’ll make it home. And may we hear, “Well done.”