“There was a girl named Abigail who was taking a drive through the country with her parents when she spied a beautiful sad-eyed grey and white pony. And next to it was a sign that said, FOR SALE – CHEAP. “Oh,” said Abigail, “May I have that pony? May I please?”. And her parents said, “no you may not.” And Abigail said, “but I MUST have that pony.” And her parents said, “well, you can’t have that pony, but you can have a nice butter pecan ice cream cone when we get home.”

And Abigail said, “I don’t want a butter pecan ice cream cone, I WANT THAT PONY – I MUST HAVE THAT PONY.” And her parents said, “be quiet and stop nagging – you’re not getting that pony.” And Abigail began to cry and said, “if I don’t get that pony I’ll die.” And her parents said, “you won’t die. No child ever died yet from not getting a pony.” And Abigail felt so bad that when they got home she went to bed, and she couldn’t eat, and she couldn’t sleep, and her heart was broken, and she DID die – all because of a pony that her parents wouldn’t buy.”

– “Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony” by Shel Silverstein

Oh Abigail! I will never forget reading about this little drama queen, fictional as she may be. My mother introduced me to this story at an early age, and I was equal parts intrigued and annoyed by Abigail. Oh, I could certainly relate to that juvenile feeling that I would die over losing an object of my affection. Yet the sheer nonsense of anyone dying over a mere pony for goodness’ sake – simply preposterous!

It’s often easy to see folly in someone else’s behavior. It is much, much harder to see the folly in our own. Yet truly, if we really think about it…do we not all have a “pony” in our own life, as it were? That which we feel we could simply not be happy without? I am inclined to believe that we all have a little bit of Abigail in each of us: an immature, selfish child always seeking for that which can not eternally satisfy. This makes for one foolish kind of woman…you might even say a headless horse-woman!

Today, as I consider Abigail’s ill-fated tale, I am reminded of this admonition given in Psalm 20:7-8:

Some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.

The way I see it, we have two options here: trust in horses like Abigail, and die…or trust in the Lord, and live!

So which one will it be, friends? If you and I would be wiser than little Abigail and keep our heads about us, we would do well to remember three important truths about horses. Come, let us take a journey back in time to an ancient battleground. Here you can decide for yourself whether our trust is better suited with four-legged beasts, or with the One who made them…

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The enemy rages; the battle is about to ensue. Seated atop my loyal steed, Astrapi, I wait amidst my comrades with a queer sense of both exhilaration and trepidation. I grip the reins with one hand, while resting my other on the hilt of my sword. Today I ride with confidence. My horse is no cheap trophy, but has seen his way safely through many battles. This day will be no exception! Astrapi and I ride as one. At the shout of our captain, we run full speed ahead in the direction of our foe. I am my father’s son; a mighty warrior. I will make him proud. I will not forget all he has taught me! I wield my sword and bring it in to contact with one enemy, then another, and then another. Many minutes pass, and beads of sweat begin to run down my brow as the sweltering sun beats down upon me. Our pace is declining, so I perceive that Astrapi is growing hot and weary as well as I. Will this battle continue forever? I swat at his sides and shout commands to him, but these methods do not seem to revive…

Have you ever felt completely confident, only to have reality smack you right in the face? Like the story above, a horseman may enter into battle with a sense of invincibility, but reality hits him hard when his horse begins to succumb to harsh weather conditions. Life can be like that for us. Everything seems to be going smooth sailing, yet in an instant our false sense of security is crumbled.

God’s word has more than a few things to say about those who trust in “horses”. One such passage states:

An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. – Psalm 33:17

Now you might be thinking “oh please, this lesson doesn’t apply to me! I don’t even own a horse!”. Yet I am convinced that this message is applicable for all. See, our Lord uses horses time and time again in scripture to illustrate this idea of trusting in our own strength or abilities…or even in trusting in our present set of circumstances. Horses are those things in our lives which are temporal under the guise of eternal. Things such as wealth, happiness, success, popularity…the list goes on. Of course, we as christians know that our trust is to be in God alone. We all know this in theory, yet do we make it true of our lives? Ask yourself:

– Do you determine your worth by financial success? You are trusting in horses!

– Do you measure your joy by the fertility of your womb? You are trusting in horses!

– Do you find your safety/peace of mind in small-town-living? You are trusting in horses!

– Do you assemble for worship based solely on the niceties of other Christians? You are trusting in horses!

– Do you decide to have a positive attitude on account of your sound physical health? You are trusting in horses!

Every single one of these examples have something in common: they are all temporal.

Nothing mortal is enduring, and there is nothing sweet which does not presently end in bitterness. – Petrarch, Letter to Posterity (1367-72)

You can lose your job and go broke, your womb can refrain from producing life and leave you childless, a gunman can break into your home and murder your family, a Christian can hurt your feelings and cause offence, you can get the heartbreaking news that cancer has overcome your body and you only have a few months to live…

My dear friend, if you have trusted in horses then prepare to be disappointed in this world. Sometimes life will hurt so much it can suck the life right out of you. But if you have Jesus…oh! These things can never destroy.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord. – Proverbs 21:31

Ponies aren’t perfect, thus they will inevitably fail.
Yet our God is love (1 John 4:8), and love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)!
Who will you put your trust in? Don’t be a headless horsewoman!

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A rapid turn of the head tells me that a foe has spotted a weak spot in my horse and I. He approaches us with sword held high…a haughty look upon his face. He swings his weapon wildly just above my head, but it fails to leave a mark as I bend out of its path. My enemy and I engage in battle, one against one, for several moments. He is fast, but his aim is lacking. I avoid his blows no less than three times before a crazed look enters his eyes. In rage, he leaps from his steed to the ground. Before I have time to act, he picks up the spear of a fallen warrior and thrusts it into Astrapi’s side. As my loyal horse falls to his knees, bringing me down with him, my enemy gives a devious laugh. He knows that our skirmish is nearly ended, for without Astrapi I have become weak and vulnerable. Halfheartedly, I dismount my fallen steed. Once more I lift my weapon; I will not be defeated without a fight! When sword meets sword, we both know that only one of us will walk away alive this day…

Death is as sure a part of life as birth. We all know death is inevitable, yet it still manages to take us by surprise time and time again. When a horseman goes into battle with a strong and healthy horse, the death of that horse seems far removed from reality. Yet, like our story portrays, a life can be snuffed out in an instant.

There are many deaths that will come in our lives, and they come in all different shapes and sizes. Physical death, spiritual death, the death of a friendship, the death of a marriage…and when these deaths come, they are almost always unexpected and tragic. If we’re not careful, these tragedies can leave us spiraling down a path of depression, dysfunction, and defeat.

• Let’s say you are married to the love of your life. You live in a gorgeous home in a ritzy neighborhood with your beloved husband. You have a steady job that you enjoy, along with a slew of hobbies you enjoy in your time off. You couldn’t be happier. One day, your husband comes home and says it’s over. He’s met someone else, and the scoundrel is abandoning you for her within the week. He files for divorce, and leaves you with few assets to get by on. Now you are alone, and your whole world has turned upside down. Will this be your defeat?

• Let’s say you are thriving in an office job that you love. Great schedule, great pay, great co-workers, great boss…it couldn’t get any better! Then one day your great boss moves on to a different job, and is replaced by a grumpy, unreasonable new boss. He is always pushing you around, with little thought to your feelings. It seems he is endlessly finding fault with you no matter the hard work you put forth. One day, as you try to reason with him about a new policy you find unfair, he fires you on the spot. Now you are jobless and putting out applications at fast food joints. Will this be your defeat?

• Let’s say your mom has suffered with breast cancer for the past few years. After enduring endless hours of chemotherapy, coupled with a strict diet and lots of exercise, she has finally been given a clean bill of health. For two months, you enjoy spending time together with no thought of sickness or grueling treatments. Then, on a routine check-up, she gets the sickening news that the cancer has returned. Within a few months, your precious mother has passed on. Will this be your defeat?

As generations come and go,
Their arts, their customs, ebb and flow;
Fate, fortune, sweep strong powers away,
And feeble, of themselves, decay.
– William Wordsworth, “The Highland Broach” (1831)

Death and loss can be absolutely devastating in all of their many forms. Yet for the true Christian, neither one can defeat us or steal us away from our faith. If they do, then it shows that our greatest trust was in those things that we lost – not in God. Robert Frost once so aptly penned, nothing gold can stay. At the end of the day, God is the only One with infallible staying power.

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord! …Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord shall stretch out his hand, both he that helpeth shall fall, and he that is holpen shall fall down, and they all shall fail together. – Isaiah 3:1,3

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots. – Micah 5:10

Equines aren’t eternal, thus they will inevitably die.
Yet our God is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13).
Who will you put your trust in? Don’t be a headless horsewoman!

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My slain enemy before me, I heave a sigh of relief. The battle around me is nearing its end. If only I can hold on for a few more minutes, I may yet live to see the welcoming sight of home. I lean over to remove my sword from my foe. In an instant, his hands reach up as if from the dead to deliver one last fatal blow with a dagger I knew not of. As I fall to the ground, I come to the agonizing realization that this is the end…

I never was one to pray, but as I lay perishing I can only wish that I knew how. Perhaps if there was a God he might see fit to ease my suffering, if only a mite. If truth be told, I never thought of myself as one to die an untimely death. I was trained for times such as these! War has been a constant companion to me since I was a youth. Why then should I die, when others of my fellows will return valiantly home to father and mother…wife and children? This agony is more than I can bear! My breathing is quickly becoming labored. The torment of my pierced side is a bleak reminder that in only a few moments, I will fade into utter blackness. In a matter of time, my name will be forgotten. I will, in a word…be nothing.

The death of one who has spent his whole life trusting in horses is a death with no hope. What does such a one have to look forward to? In the end, there is no satisfaction in horses. They will fail, they will die, and they will disappoint. Such is the case with anything that we trust in other than Jesus.

…what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? – Ecclesiates 5:16b

Happiness is dependent upon outward circumstances; joy is dependent upon inward circumstances.

It seldom happens that any felicity comes so pure as not to be tempered and allayed by some mixture of sorrow. – Cervantes, Don Quixote (1605-15)

If our trust is in the right place, then nothing will be able to shake us! Our circumstances will cease to rule over us, and instead of our feelings, our faith will have the final say.

Asshur shall not save us; we will not ride upon horses: neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in thee [in God] the fatherless find mercy. – Hosea 14:3 (clarification added)

Horses aren’t happiness, thus they will inevitably disappoint.
Yet God will cause all who trust in Him to “ever shout for joy” (Psalm 5:11)!
Who will you put your trust in? Don’t be a headless horsewoman!

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If you ever get sucked into that old trap of trusting in horses, just remember:

Ponies aren’t perfect, equines aren’t eternal, and horses aren’t happiness! (Yet God is all of those things and so much more.)

When our trust is in God, we have a steady stability that brings about true peace. We know that no matter what comes our way, we are headed for a joyous eternity…and we can rest easy in that. When we trust in horses, we are allowing ourselves to board an emotional roller coaster that will only lead to hurt and disappointment in the end. One choice is based in absolute truth, the other is based on circumstance. Everyone should keep in mind that circumstances are ever-changing. To rest in circumstances is to rest in uncertainty. That’s not good enough for me! Is it good enough for you?

Let it never be said of us that we were headless horse-women. Rather, let each of us place our full trust in God…and be horseless Head-women!

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. – Psalm 147:10-11

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

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Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

William Tell, William Tell,
Take your arrow, grip it well.
There’s the apple – aim for the middle –
Oh well…you just missed by a little.
– Shel Silverstein

I am sure we have all seen a depiction of William Tell in some way, shape, or form. He was the legendary fellow with a shot so precise that he was said to have been able to shoot an apple off a man’s head without incident! Of course this silly poem suggests that William hit the man this time – not the apple. There’s no turning back from a faux pas such as that!

As it was with William Tell, the precision of our aim can be a matter of life and death. More specifically, the precision of the aim by which we direct our own little arrows – our children. This is precisely what we will be discussing today…

Psalm 127:3-5 says:

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

What are the implications of a child being likened to an arrow?

– An arrow is a projectile weapon.
– An arrow is an object with a specific task – to hit a desired goal.
– An arrow is beneficial for both offensive and defensive purposes.

We as christians are fighting against “spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12) and we are raising up the next generation that will pick up the fight after we have laid down our armor. We won’t be around forever, and one day the little people in our charge will be at the forefront of the battle. This revelation can either be horrifying or awe-inspiring. My earnest hope is that it will be the latter of the two.

Not only does our text reveal that children are like arrows, but it also implies that being a good parent is like being a skilled archer. Perhaps if we want to learn how to parent God’s way and send good soldiers out into the fight, we need to learn a little something about archery. So come along…pick up your bow, and let each of us learn how to be marvelous marksmen for the Master!

“Notice that the psalmist doesn’t say kids are like clubs or rocks. A club doesn’t take a whole lot of skill to use, and anyone can throw a rock. But if you’ve tried your hand at archery, you know it’s difficult. It’s not easy to be accurate with an arrow.” – Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Old Testament Volume 2: Psalms – Malachi

Let us consider the three things every archer must have to make a successful shot…

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#1 Marksman Must: A Precise Point

Every marksman must aim his arrow.

A skilled marksman does not shoot an arrow with his eyes closed and hope for the best. Rather, he sets his sight on a precise point (his target) and aims accordingly.

A good archer is known not by his arrows, but by his aim. – Thomas Fuller

Parents, it is not how great your children are presently, but it is how great they will grow to become with proper guidance. See, merely having a child will not render us skilled parents any more than having an arrow in our possession renders us skilled archers! If we don’t know how to aim, an arrow is utterly useless in our grasp. Yet if we will learn how to aim well, we will already be one third of the way towards making a perfect shot!

Be forewarned: perfecting aim will take practice. Neither archery nor parenting are for the faint of heart. Becoming skilled archers is going to take time, diligence, and continual learning. Are we up for the challenge?

We’ve all heard the term “keep your eyes on the prize”, and we need to continually keep this in mind as we train our arrows. In a world of stress, chaos, and just plain business, it’s easy to get distracted from what’s truly important. However, a good archer can not allow distractions to get in the way of his winning shot. In the same way, parents can not allow the world to block their view of the eternal goal they desire for their child.

A child needs to know that the high achievement you wish for him is a heavenly citizenship. Everything else is pittance in comparison! He needs to know that he doesn’t have to be the best ballplayer, or the class valedictorian, or go on to have the most highly acclaimed career. Put too many expectations on your child and he will surely become dazed and confused at best, and wild and rebellious at worst. Help him to understand that godliness is his primary goal, not a slew of earthly accomplishments. Train him above all else to emulate Jesus. This is the precise point we’re going for.

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. – Phillipians 3:14

How are we going to make sure our children are aimed at this mark? Unfortunately, there is no cut and dry, one-size-fits-all answer. Every child is different and it is our duty as parents to figure out how to win our unique child’s heart to the truth. We all know Proverbs 6:6…

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

It’s time we look at this passage with a new set of eyes. This verse is not saying that if we teach a child about Jesus, everything will turn out alright and that even if he strays he’ll come around in the end (though this is the typical belief). There have been many people who have been taught the truth yet went their own way and never returned! It is important to emphasize the “he” in this passage…”train up a child in the way HE should go”. In other words, find out what “clicks” with your child, and then and only then will you be able to win his heart over for Christ. Study your child. Figure out how to bring his spiritual side alive according to his unique personality and character. After all, does a skilled marksman not know his own arrows? Learn your child, and use your knowledge to eliminate his weaknesses and cultivate his strengths.

“Potential energy is the stored energy that an object posesses, either due to its position or its internal properties. There are many types of potential energy including chemical potential energy, which can be converted to electrical energy when we attach a circuit to the battery’s terminals.” – 30-Second Physics, (Consultant Editor: Brian Clegg)

All children (like arrows) have potential energy. It is our job as parents to figure out how to convert that potential energy to kinetic energy. Once they are “plugged in”, (that is: blossoming in their own unique skill set), you will begin to see the beauty of what was inside them all along.

“It is a wise father [or mother] that knows his own child.” – Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice (1596-97)

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#2 Marksman Must: A Preparatory Pull

Every marksman must ready his arrow.

A successful archer knows just how much momentum to add to his arrow before he sends it from his bow. If he does not pull his arrow back far enough into the bow, it will plunge to the ground before it ever hits the target. If he pulls it back too far into the bow, it will go flying way out of bounds and will also never hit the target. Neither method works. He must add just the right amount of pressure – but not too much – for his arrow to hit the mark.

Parenting is much the same way. If we fail to pull our arrows far enough into the “bow” (i.e. by letting them have their own way all the time, or letting them continually be influenced by ungodly company) then they will surely and swiftly hit the ground. This is no way to ready an arrow for a heavenly goal. Yet on the flip side, if we pull our arrows too far into the bow (i.e. by inflicting overbearing restrictions or sheltering them too much) that child is going to be rebelliously running for the hills and will also fail to reach a heavenly goal. We need to find a happy medium between both extremes.

We can not be so foolish to think that without hard work and diligence our children will “turn out okay”. That’s not the way this whole parenting thing works…

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame. – Proverbs 29:15

Allow this truth to sink in: even a wicked man is diligent to ready his arrows for wickedness…

For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. – Psalm 11:2

The world is not resting…they train their children to do evil day and night. We certainly should not be resting…but picking up our bows like the skilled marksmen we are called to be!

One thing I have found, is that quality time can go farther with children than all the punishing in the world. The more time a child spends with his parent, the more opportunity for bonding. The stronger the bond, the stronger the desire to please his parents. [Aren’t we the same way? The more time we spend “bonding” with our Lord, the stronger our desire to please Him. It just makes sense.] Bonding brings about love, and love brings about respect. (And if a child does not learn how to respect his parents in fear and reverence as a youth, how will he ever bow his knee to an almighty God as an adult?)

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? – Hebrews 12:9

Remember, mothers…we (under our husband’s authority) are shooting our arrows in the way that they will go. What they learn now will, to a large degree, determine the course of their future.

“If men live decently it is because discipline saves their very lives for them.” – Sophocles, Antigone (442-41 B.C.)

Discipline is the most vital aspect of raising children. When I say “discipline”, I don’t necessarily mean “punishment” (though there is a time and a place for consequences when the child’s behavior is out of control). What I mean is training, training, and more training! Children need direction in spades. When we become a parent, we are essentially taking a small human and showing him/her how to be a big human. Right?? We grow their bodies by providing them with nutritious meals, we grow their souls by providing them with a healthy environment, and we grow their spirits by providing truth to them. None of these growing experiences can happen on their own…kids need their parents to continually direct them in all aspects until they learn to provide these things for themselves.

Every parent is readying their child for adulthood in some way, whether for good or evil, or for some sad place in between. Every day our actions and words are training them…these things are either drawing them closer to God, or further away from Him. What is the case with your child?

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

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#3 Marksman Must: A Perfect Projection

Every marksman must let go of his arrow.

Every day, starting with conception, we are pushing our children one step closer to life on their own. With each and every new ability learned, our children are stepping farther away from Father and Mother’s care. This is just as it should be.

“Schoolmasters and parents exist to be grown out of.” – John Wolfenden, Sunday Times, London (July 13, 1958)

Many parents wish to hold onto their children forever, but this simply can not be. One of the greatest gifts you can give your child is the gift of independence. Every element of training is ultimately leading to this, and we must take great care not to stand in the way of this most natural and healthy process. Children are made to grow up.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. – 1 Corinthians 13:11

“We find ourselves more taken with the running up and down, the games, and puerile simplicities of our children, than we do, afterward, with their most complete actions; as if we had loved them for our sport, like monkeys, and not as men.” – Montaigne (1580-88)

Wanting our children to stay forever young is a selfish notion. If you want your arrow to hit the mark, let it go. I have seen many a woman fall apart and fail to know what to do with herself once her children have “flown the nest”. Mothers, it is so important that you remember that your role of “wife” is to be first and foremost in your life. Yes, it is a role superior even to that of “mom”. God did not create us to be one with our children, and women who act as such are nursing an unhealthy and unspiritual obsession. Always remember that you are married to your husband, not to your offspring. Delight in the husband God has created you for! Don’t let your children’s flying the nest leave you a broken mess as the case has sadly been with so many.

Let your arrow be free to fly. Don’t despair, take joy in a job well done! Stand back, and let your heart be light as you watch your child rise to their full potential.

If the arrow does not leave the bow, it will not strike. – Ahmad Fuadi

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In conclusion…

If you would be a successful marksman and send your arrows soaring to that eternal mark…be absolutely sure that you have a precise point, a preparatory pull, and a perfect projection.

As a result,

…their arrows shall be as of a mighty expert man; none shall return in vain. – Jeremiah 50:9

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

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Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high
There’s a land that I’ve heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream, really do come true.
Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
High above the chimney tops,
That’s where you’ll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow, blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can’t I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I?

– “Over the Rainbow”, as performed by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

I remember the first time I watched “The Wizard of Oz”. As I recall, I was around nine years old…and I was mesmerized. From the moment Dorothy Gale leaned against a hay bale and began daydreaming about that proverbial “somewhere” over the rainbow, I longed to see how her story would end. Would she find what she was looking for? Or would she always wear that sad, faraway look on her face? I had to find out. So I sat there – glued to the screen – and drifted into a magical world where scarecrows, tinmen, and lions could talk, where good witches scared off bad ones, and a yellow brick road led to a wizard that held the magic fix to all of life’s problems. While to this day I still love the imagery, acting, and storyline represented in this classic film, I have to admit that there was one thing that left me utterly disappointed…the wizard.

After what seemed like a good long while of hearing:

“We’re off to see the Wizard
The wonderful Wizard of Oz
We hear he is a whiz of a wiz
If ever a wiz there was
If ever, oh ever a wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz is one because
Because, because, because, because, because
Because of the wonderful things he does….”

…I guess you could say he really fell flat of my expectations. Whiz of a wiz? Hmmm….not really. All these wonderful things he supposedly did? Well, I’m still waiting! I was hoping this guy would be great and powerful like the song suggested…but he turned out to be more or less a fraud. Just an average guy behind a curtain…pretending to be great and powerful.

I did a little investigating and found out that “Oz” is actually an abbreviation that stands for gold. I found this amusing…remember that the idols that Israel worshipped were often fashioned of gold! How fitting for this fraudulent wizard to be known as the wizard of gold = a false god!

Consider Psalms 115:4-9:

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.

Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion were all seeking after the right things (a home, a brain, a heart, and the nerve), but they were trying to get them from the wrong source! Instead of seeking after The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, they should have really been seeking after The Wonderful Wizard of Welkin. (Now, if you are familiar with my September 2016 article, The Wisdom of Welkin, then you know that the term “Welkin” is a synonym for Heaven.) Therefore, The Wonderful Wizard of Welkin is none other than the Lord Himself!

The Wizard of Oz may disappoint, but The Wizard of Welkin will never disappoint. Today, let each of us transport our minds to a certain yellow brick road, accompanied by a scarecrow, a tinman, and a lion. Only rather than setting off to see The Wizard of Oz, we will set off  to see the The Wonderful Wizard of Welkin…

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1. He Will Give You A Brain

Oh, I could tell you why the ocean’s near the shore. I could think of things I never thunk before. And then I’d sit, and think some more! I would not be just a nuffin’, my head all full of stuffin’, my heart all full of pain. I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry if I only had a brain…

In The Wizard of Oz, Scarecrow wants a brain more than anything in the world. His search is a search for wisdom.

The Scarecrow: That’s the trouble. I can’t make up my mind. I haven’t got a brain – only straw.
Dorothy Gale: How can you talk if you haven’t got a brain?
The Scarecrow: I don’t know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?

Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “wisdom is the principle thing“, and urges us to “get wisdom, and with all our getting, get understanding“. Scarecrow’s love and longing for wisdom is half the battle. We know from Proverbs 1:7 that “fools despise wisdom and instruction“, but here we see a fellow who is actively seeking to be wise…

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
– 2 Corinthians 8:12

• Do you and I have willing minds?
• Are we daily seeking to be wise?
• Furthermore, are we seeking our wisdom from The Wizard of Oz, or The Wizard of Welkin?

There is a big difference between the false wisdom of the world, and the true wisdom from above. We read in James 3:15 that there is an earthly “wisdom“…one that is “sensual and devilish“. Yet we know that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). We as Christians ought rather to be seeking “the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him” (that is to say, Jesus – Ephesians 1:17)

Where can we get this wisdom? Certainly we will not receive it from the teachers of this world, with whom religious truth is sadly becoming obsolete! No…to receive the wisdom that is from above, we must make time to read the word of God – His Bible. The scriptures “are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). I don’t know about you, but to me that sounds like a book worth reading! If salvation is found in the scriptures, then doesn’t it stand to reason that we ought to be immersing ourselves in them?

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. – Psalms 119:99-100

• Take time each day to learn something new about God. Bible study doesn’t mean that we’re reading 30 chapters a day, and it doesn’t mean that we’re getting in our bibles just to cross it off our mental checklists. What it does mean is that we are daily learning something that will help us to better understand the character of our Lord, or instruct us on how to be better people. Some days this might mean reading one verse, or some days it might mean reading 100 verses…but for crying out loud, get in His word!
• Challenge yourself by studying up on a topic you’re unsure about. Maybe you’ve always wanted to know if children are or are not born sinless, or whether or not baptism is essential for salvation, or if gambling is or is not a sin. Whatever the topic, don’t wait to hear it from someone else – go to the source and study it out for yourself! Be like the Berean Jews who “were more noble…and searched the scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so” (from Acts 17:11).
• Make sure you are not forsaking the assembly. Stay true and faithful to the body of Christ! I can not express to you the many things I have learned from sitting under a seasoned preacher that I would not have otherwise thought of on my own. We need a preacher to help direct our minds (Romans 10:14).  We also need other Christians, for the varied wisdom we gleam from one another is immeasurable (Proverbs 27:17).

There is no need to say “if I only had a brain”. Study your scriptures, and The Wonderful Wizard of Welkin will give you one!

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. – James 1:5

What would you do with a brain if you had one? – Dorothy Gale

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2. He Will Give You A Heart

When a man’s an empy kettle he should be on his mettle, and yet I’m torn apart. Just because I’m presumin’ that I could be kinda human if I only had a heart…

In The Wizard of Oz, the Tinman wanted a heart more than anything in the world. His search was a search for love.

Once we begin to learn the wisdom of God, we will then be able to learn the love of God. Love without wisdom is worldly folly. Yet on the other hand, wisdom without love is cold and cruel. We need both wisdom and love as children of God. In fact, love is the characteristic by which we might be known as true Christians (1 John 3:14).

And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. – Colossians 3:14

• Show love to others by looking at yourself through their eyes. Are you constantly criticizing your husband or children? Try to put yourself in their shoes and imagine what it’s like to be put down all the time. Do you have a judgmental, self-righteous attitude that makes others feel uncomfortable? Try to imagine what it’s like to walk on eggshells, always worrying about needlessly offending someone. Are you self-centered and talk too much? Try to imagine what it’s like to have to listen to someone drone on and on about themselves. Looking at ourselves through the eyes of another does wonders on changing our perspective.
• Show love to others by being sacrificial. When someone needs you, don’t play the martyr by acting like they’re really putting you out. That doesn’t make people feel loved…it makes them feel like a burden! As much as possible, be willing to be there for others and let them know that they can always count on you to be there for them. For example, if your husband asks you for something (even if you just sat down) get on your feet, smile, and get him what he needs. Don’t sigh…don’t say “I can’t do everything around here!”…swallow your pride, act like Jesus, and be a servant. (Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves – Philippians 2:3)
• Show love to others by continually beseeching God on their behalf. This doesn’t necessarily mean praying that God would up and heal all their infirmities (for that is not always for the best) but it does mean talking to God about others and petitioning for His will to be done in their lives. When people are sick, pray that their physical bodies would serve as a teacher for spiritual things…that through their sickness they might learn how to be more Heaven-minded. When people are going through trying times, pray that they might be strengthened with godly resolve to see through to the end. When people are peachy keen, pray that they would still continue to seek God in their days. Pray for the things that truly matter!

There is no need to say “if I only had a heart”. Practice love even when you don’t feel like it, and God will give you a heart.

A sound heart is the life of the flesh… – Proverbs 14:30a

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3. He Will Give You The Nerve

It’s sad, believe me, missy, when you’re born to be a sissy…without the vim and verve. But I could show my prowess (be a lion, not a mowess) If I only had the nerve…

In The Wizard of Oz, the Lion wanted the nerve more than anything in the world. His search was a search for courage.

Wisdom, by necessity, brings forth love. Love, by necessity, brings forth courage. Godly love provokes us to be courageous.

The Cowardly Lion: Look at the circles under my eyes, I haven’t slept in weeks!
The Tin Woodsman: Why don’t you try counting sheep?
The Cowardly Lion: That doesn’t do any good, I’m afraid of them!

The Cowardly Lion has a problem many of us have: the fear of sheep. By sheep, I mean people (all we like sheep have gone astray – from Isaiah 53:6). The love of God causes us to be courageous, but the love of the world causes us to be afraid. Afraid of offending people…afraid of what others might think or do if we share the truth with them…afraid because a righteous life condemns those that we love who are living in sin. We must rise above our fears and do the right thing regardless.

Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the Lord do that which is good in His sight. – 1 Chronicles 19:13

Dorothy Gale: Are you gonna stand around and let ’em fill us full of horror?
The Cowardly Lion: I’d like to roar ’em down, but I think I lost my roarer.

We can’t let fear paralyze us. The only way to gain courage is by facing the very fears that haunt us.

•  When stepping out in courageous teaching, it’s okay to start small. Yet it’s important to start, period! Are you afraid of public speaking? Face your fears by speaking in front of a small group of ladies, and then work your way up to a larger group! Are you afraid of talking one-on-one to others about God? Practice on children you come in contact with, and then work your way up to adults! Are you afraid of confronting someone about their sin? Write them a short (but heartfelt) letter and see how they respond.
  (The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. – Hebrews 13:6b)
• Knowledge of God’s word helps us to be courageous about lifestyle changes. When people ask about the changes that you may be making in your life, being able to show that you are backed up in God’s word for your choices is going to strike far more confidence in you than saying “I just felt convicted”. Don’t be afraid to let God’s word have the final say! If that’s not “good enough” for your friends and family, it might be time to reevaluate the company you are keeping.
• If you’re afraid of not being popular because you share truth, remember that in many ways Jesus was unpopular. His teachings grated against everything that the society around Him held dear. Naturally, this resulted in some serious backlash. Not much has changed over the years…the world still hates truth, and that’s not going to be changing. It’s time to decide whose side you want to be on come judgment day! (Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. – 1 John 3:13)

There is no need to say “if I only had the nerve”. Step out in courage, and God will give you the nerve!

What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! – The Cowardly Lion

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In conclusion…

At some point in our lives, we have all been in the place of the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Lion. We have all been hung up with no brain, rusted with no heart, and immobilized with no nerve. All have the same problem – they go nowhere. It is vital to have all three elements in our lives (brain, heart, nerve)…without one of these our whole character collapses. Without a brain, we may be kind and courageous…but have no wisdom on how to properly implement these qualities. Without a heart, we may be wise and courageous…but have no kindness to draw others to Christ. Without the nerve, we may be wise and kind…but never have the courage to reach out in the first place.

To become a woman that has all three qualities in spades, we must be certain we know where to look. With the Wonderful Wizard of Welkin, we can cut the cheap tricks and forget the phony man behind the curtain. With him, there are no gimmicks or false fronts. He is truly the answer to our problems.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear [cowardly lion], but of power and of love [tinman] and of a sound mind [scarecrow]. – 2 Timothy 1:7

Let us press on to our very own “somewhere over the rainbow” (that is to say, Heaven)…for there truly is “no place like home”.

For God’s Glory,
Mrs. Dustin Bolks

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Mrs. Dustin Bolks is a church of Christ preacher’s wife, and the home educating mother of two children. She and her family currently reside in Northwest Iowa.