Lessons From Oz - No Place Like Home

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow had found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young - a place near your altar, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your housel they are ever praising you.”
Psalm 84:2-4

The Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion had all found what they were looking for, perhaps not in the form they had expected, but the journey had been worth it. What of Dorothy? After such a long and difficult journey, she simply wanted to go home. She didn’t even know if home still existed, but she wanted to go home anyway.

Check a dictionary and not one of the many definitions of the word “home” adequately identify what home means to us. Home is that one place where we can be surrounded by the people we love and who love us. Home is for most of us that safe haven and shelter from the storms of life. Yet even surrounded by the people we love, those who call themselves followers of Jesus, yearn for another home. The Apostle Paul struggled with this idea of staying with the people he cared about in the world he lived and wanting to be really home with Christ. 

In this week’s passage the Psalmist is also longing to be truly home and in the presence of the One who truly loves him best. However, we can learn from Paul and the Psalmist that we must not rush to get home, the journey home is just as important as being there and finding the rest, joy and peace we so long for.

Near the end of the movie, we find that quite possibly Dorothy had, had the ability to go home all along, she just didn’t know it. She had to follow the yellow brick road, travel with Scrarecrow, Tinman and Lion. She had to defeat the Wicked Witch and discover the truth about the Wizard, before she was ready to go home. In the end, it had all been an incredible dream, but when she woke surrounded by all those who loved her and all those she loved - she had a greater appreciation for everything that home means.

We are on a journey; it will take us to the highest of heights and through deep valleys. There will be detours, pot holes and storms to impede our progress. There will be amazing people who travel with us along the way and unfortunately a few who will get in our way. When we finally, reach the end of the journey we will truly understand… there is no place like home. 

A Prayer
Father, Thank you that even your Son had to make the journey home. Help us to live by his example. May we keep our eyes on the road you lay before us and our hearts focused on those who have gone before us. May we enjoy all of the wonders our current home holds for us and may we long for the home to come as we travel together. In the name of Jesus, who has gone to prepare a place for us - Amen.