The Gospel According to the Wizard of Oz

"A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others."

Wizard of OZ

Many years ago, I preached a series called The Gospel According to the Wizard of Oz. It was one of my most favorite and enjoyable messages. I am always amazed at how the Lord chooses to speak to me through art, music and the movies. I get ideas from so many of the things I see and hear. There are many quotes from this movie that spoke to me in a personal way. Can you learn something about God from the Wizard of Oz? Absolutely!

Each character in this movie was in search of something...something that they possessed all along. It just hit you didn't it? Glinda tells Dorothy to follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz might be able to help her get back home. On her way, Dorothy meets and befriends the Scarecrow, who wants a brain, the Tin Woodman, who desires a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, who is in need of courage. And Dorothy, well you've always had the power to go home:) 

It's important to love others. In this day and age, it’s important to be loved too. So that is where I set my sights: to love and be loved. This was one of the mighty Oz's bits of counsel. I have to say that I have often found that the hearts capacity for love is determined by its ability to be given away. Jesus said to love others as you love yourself. You cannot begin to be the lover of mankind you should be without first looking in the mirror and appreciating YOU! You were designed by God! Designed to love and BE loved!

Today, let out that joy as you follow the yellow brick road to your job. Love unconditionally. Love always. One thing is always true: love NEVER fails!