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Mar 17, 2021 17:00pm

Learning it for Yourself

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It’s not a secret that one of my favorite movies is The Wizard of Oz. It is such a fun and creative children’s story that was turned into an incredible movie.

Dorothy has been transported to the land of Oz and has met friends and enemies along the way. But the entire time, she wants to go back home.

After defeating the Wicked Witch, Dorothy’s friends are honored for their heroic deeds. Their biggest dreams come true. A diploma for the Scarecrow, a ticking heart for the Tinman, a Medal of Honor for the Lion… but then, they turn to Dorothy, and she realizes there is nothing in that bag for her.

Nothing that would take her home.

But Professor Marvel has another idea – he decides to take her home himself in his hot air balloon.

As they get ready to sail off into the wind, of course something goes wrong, and Dorothy is left trapped once again in the land of Oz. The entire movie has been nothing but challenges for this young girl.

Glinda arrives and tells her she has always had the power to go home.

Shocked, Dorothy asks, “I have?” The Scarecrow exclaims, “Why didn’t you tell her before?!” Glinda responds, “She wouldn’t have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.”

In the historical account of Abraham and Isaac, we saw that Abraham was thoroughly tested when God told him to sacrifice his son. We know that Abraham obeyed God and chose following Him over the person he loved most in the world – Isaac.

But who was the test really for? We already know God is all-seeing, all-knowing, and ever present. So, God already knew what Abraham would do.

This wasn’t a test for God to find out about Abraham. This was a test to grow and strengthen Abraham.

Just like Dorothy, he had to learn it for himself.

He trusted the Lord would provide and he faithfully obeyed. And he was blessed for it.

“Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, ‘By myself I have sworn,’ this is the Lord’s declaration: ‘Because you have done this thing and have not withheld your only son, I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.’” (Genesis 22:15-18)

We too will face trials and tests in this life, but. the Lord goes before us.

He already knows our hearts and our minds. He knows what we will choose. But He still gives us the opportunity to choose. He allows us to grow and mature through our choices.

Trust in Him and honor Him with obedience to His voice.

Let trials mold you into the person God will continue to use for His glory!