THINK TOGETHER
Have you ever thought you lost something but you had it all along?
READ TOGETHER
When my children were younger we read the book The Wizard of Oz together. In the book Dorothy wants to go back home to Kansas but first she must make it to Oz to get help from the Wizard. Along the way she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Lion. Do you remember what they each needed? The Scarecrow needed a brain, the Tin Man needed a heart, and the Lion needed courage. They each thought that they didn’t have what they need, but as the book shows us, they already have what they thought they needed. The Scarecrow comes up with all the smartest ideas. The Tin Man shows the most compassion. And the Lion courageously fights off the flying monkeys. Even Dorothy already had what she needed to get home – the ruby slippers. They were on her feet all along.
Being a Christian is like being in the Wizard of Oz. The Bible says that we already have everything we need, but we have to know and believe that we already have it. Here’s how Paul says it to Pastor Timothy in his second letter to him:
2 Timothy 1:6-7. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Power. Love. Self-control.
Every single Christian has these things already.
Are you a Christian? Do you have power, love, and self-control?
Paul is telling Timothy, and us, that we already have everything we need to fearlessly love and trust God just like Jesus did.
No, it won’t be easy. There are a lot of things that can make us afraid. What makes you afraid?
But we know that when we have Jesus we always have God’s love and we know that no matter what we will be with God forever and ever. And when we know that we have God and his kindness, then we can live like Jesus did, with courage (the Lion), with compassion (the Tin Man), and in control of our thoughts (the Scarecrow). And like Dorothy we are already wearing the shoes that will get us home to God in Heaven.
Because of Jesus we have all that we need to love and trust God.
With Jesus we don’t have to be afraid; we can be courageous, kind, and controlled.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
The Wizard of Oz movie is not nearly as good as the book, but it might help to illustrate our discussion today. Here’s the Scarecrow’s “If I only had a brain” song:
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus,
You have given me the Spirit and all of God’s power, love, and self-control. Help me to remember that I already have all I need to not be afraid and to trust you.
Amen.
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