Lessons From the Land of Oz

There are many obvious lessons from the Land of Oz most of us recall. Recently we visited this magical place on the top of Beech Mountain in North Carolina. Granted it’s just a replica with actors playing the parts of Dorothy and her friends. Nevertheless, there still is much to learn (and relearn) during this enchanted adventure.

Everyone dreams of someplace over the rainbow where life is better than where we are right now. However, Dorothy reminds us that there’s no place like home. Home is where the people you love and who love you reside. When storms come, you realize you’re not in Kansas anymore and you’re desperate to find a way to return. But like the prodigal son, traveling back home is not always as easy as tapping our ruby slippers together.

While on her journey, Dorothy had to deal with an unrelenting Wicked Witch and her flying monkeys. Even when the sand in the hour glass was almost gone, she didn’t give up. With the help of Toto and her friends, Dorothy defeated the Witch and brought her broom back to the Wizard. Persistence paid off when she never lost hope.

The costumed monkeys in the Land of Oz didn’t fly but were still just as annoying. They stole our sunglasses and another person’s cellphone (but later gave them back). When we least expected it, the Wicked Witch of the West popped up out of nowhere. Isn’t life the same? Keep alert. Evil prowls around ready to snag you. Don’t be unaware. Put on the spiritual armor of God to be prepared at all times.

Out of the many lessons from the Land of Oz, the most surprising came from our bus driver. He was a colorful fellow with a ponytail, dangling earrings and numerous tattoos. With his warm smile and talkative manner, he had a captive audience. You see, we parked in a lower lot and rode by bus to the top of the mountain to enter Oz. I for one, was grateful for a little diversion while traveling the dusty, narrow mountain road.

On our way, he offered us a piece of wisdom that he gleaned from his experience at Oz. He noted that Dorothy and her three friends were vastly different from each other. A little girl, a scarecrow, a tin woodsman and a lion have almost nothing in common. Yet they accepted each other without question and together accomplished what seemed to be an impossible task.

Our driver’s point was this. We are all vastly different from each other too, but we must learn to get along. We may disagree but we should never disrespect. If only we would take his advice, our world could be transformed by this one of many lessons from the Land of Oz.

Photo of Glenda the Good Witch by Anna Berger

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