Courage, Brains and Heart, oh my!

So as I write I am watching The Wizard of Oz on t.v. with Matt. Last weekend we had the extreme pleasure of seeing Wicked at the Oriental theatre in Chicago. It seems that Oz has been perforating our lives lately. I remember an episode of the show Scrubs that has a significantly "over the rainbow" theme running throughout it and loving the symbolism it drew out.

As I watch the wizard it is interesting to think of the many symbolic metaphors that have applied to this movie. One thing I notice as I watch is the idea that the characters are pursuing courage, brains and hearts in an effort to make their lives complete. I wonder if any person would say that is all we need in life, or if that is enough. Of course many people pursue success, wealth and love. But courage can bring success, brains can bring money and heart can bring love. So in many ways in this life pursuing these things can bring many forms of satisfaction. Of course there is always the other layer. Where is God? When the characters pursue the wizard are they looking for the wizard, or just what he can give them. When we pursue God, are we looking for God, his heart, his character, or just what He can give us? Now maybe it isn't fair to draw a comparison between the Wizard of Oz and God, maybe it is even blasphemous, but I still think it's fun. In the movie, the Lion is too scared of the wizard to initially approach him and the scarecrow is too humble, believes his request is too small. How often do we feel our requests are too small, or so outrageous that we're afraid to ask. It is a good reminder to ask anyway. I also love that the Wizard does not necessarily grant their requests in the way they thought. A badge of honor for the lion, a diploma for the scarecrow and a ticking heart clock for the tin man. God does not always grant our requests as we would expect either, but he is wise. And I would feel completely confident to say that in a test of wisdom, God would certainly kick the Wizard's butt.