In the classic movie musical, “The Wizard of Oz,” a twister snatches up Dorothy and brings her to a land that she’s never seen before, the land of Oz. Dorothy is lost and, although Oz is magical and beautiful, she has just one desire and that is to go back home to Kansas. In order to do so, she needs the help of the Wizard of Oz, who lives in the Emerald City. Dorothy has no idea where the Emerald City is or how to get there, but she is told that if she just follows the yellow brick road, it will lead her straight to the Emerald City. As long as she stays on that road, and doesn’t wander off it, she will find the city and the Wizard of Oz.
We were created to live in the presence of God. But, when sin entered the world, mankind was cast from God’s presence and became lost. But, we were created to have a relationship with God and so, our desire has always been to find our way back into His presence, to find our way home. But, just as Dorothy could not find her way back to Kansas on her own, we also need help to find our way back into God’s presence. Our help doesn’t come from a wizard, it doesn’t come from the world. Our help comes from God who, because of His great love for us, has provided a way for us to find our way.
The way back to God is through His Son, Jesus. God sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sin so that, if we believe in Him, we can have eternal life in God’s presence (John 3:16). When Jesus gave His life for us on the cross, the way to God’s presence opened up. Jesus is the road to God’s presence, the road “home.” Jesus is the way to God (John 14:6). When we believe in Him and trust in Him, He will direct our path (Proverbs 3:5-6). When we allow Him to live in us, if we start to wander off that path, veering to the right or the left, we will hear His voice telling us, “This is the way, walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
A Worshiper's Journal 