The Wizard of Oz, The Ruby Slippers, and The Yellow Brick Road

 

When I was a little girl, I LOVED the Wizard of Oz.  It was one of my favorite movies.

Now looking back, it describes so much about what life in faith is all about.

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, 

bringing out the God-colors in the world." -Matt 5:14, MSG

Traveling from a black and white world to color, the "magic" ruby slippers, walking on the yellow brick road - I'm not sure that this is what Frank Baum meant when he wrote the book, but this is what I take from it...

First of all, the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has lots of meaning.  Rainbows imply God's covenant, God's promise to mankind, that He would never again send rain to destroy the earth. (Gen 9:13)

Glenda the Good witch of the East reminds me of the Holy Spirit, helping Dorothy and her friends on their way.  (Isn't it funny she travels in a bubble??)

Munchkins imply that even the smalllest person can make a difference... and child-like faith.  Look at all their colorful clothes and how fun they are!

"For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest." -Luke 9:48  "Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Luke 18:17

The magic ruby slippers are like the blood of Christ, protecting us from harm. "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." -Ephesians 2:13

The yellow brick road is symbolic of a walk of faith - and staying on the path is crucial if we are to get to our destination. "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." -Matthew 7:14

The great wizard of Oz is not God but is symbolic of Him as Dorothy and her friends seek out answers from him to get to their intended destination. He is mysterious, his name itself appears to be like God: "The great and powerful Oz"... He certainly isn't perfect... but as they discover, he is quite relateable...

Dorothy has three unusual friends, gifted in different ways, with different personalities, that are all on their journeys of seeking answers too.

I almost think of the Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion as three inverted reflections of the nature of God - The Scarecrow symbolizing a double-minded man, (But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. James 1:6-8) The Tin Man symbolizing a cold-hearted man, (For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them. -Matt 13:15) and the Cowardly Lion symbolizing a fearful man. (There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18)  Each of these were obstacles that they had to overcome to get to their intended destination.  They grew on their journey.

The wicked witch is evil...

She uses a spell with Poppies to put Dorothy and her friends to sleep. Much like the devil does to us today!  He wants to lull the church to sleep so she does not fulfill her purpose.  "If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping." -Mark 13:36

Glenda sends snow to wake them up!  

"Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; 

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." -Ps 57:1

"Who can wash me white as snow? Nothing but the blood of Jesus." -Old Hymn

"For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." -Luke 11:10