The Wizard of Oz is about a journey. Dorothy, at home with her family and friends, is taken away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Dorothy is forced to make a long journey to Oz. Along the way, she makes new friends and takes a long and dangerous journey with the hopes of returning home… because “there’s no place like home.” When Dorothy arrives back home, she realizes that her friends had been with her all along.
Our life is a long journey home. We begin in heaven. While on Earth, we know we are children of God, and as God’s children we know heaven is our eternal home. The 23rd Psalm is a scripture about the dangerous journey of life. The writer of this beautiful Psalm acknowledges the long and challenging journey that is our lives. At times we travel through green pastures and rest by still waters. Other times, we travel through the darkest valleys.
Regardless of our current location, this Psalm makes it clear, God is with us. “I fear no evil; for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4) How we arrived at our present position in life does not matter, even if a tornado dropped us here. God cares for us along the journey. “He restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:3) And we have hope because we know that our journey will end in joy and peace as we are welcomed home. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6)
This journey we are on is a gift from God. It allows us to experience the many wonders of God’s beautiful creation. The good news is, we are never far from home. God is with us; we are not alone. When we realize we are with God, on earth and in heaven, we understand we are always at home.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
