My kids seem to think I grew up in a black and white world because of the
TV shows I watch. But my real world was as colorful as it is today, just my TV
memories are in black and white. Just a few short years before I was born there
was no TV, so I didn’t know any better, and I still may not. But color TV
became popular in the early sixties, and only the rich or fortunate had a color
TV, to watch black and white shows on for only a few shows were in color. NBC
was the leader, and first time I saw the NBC peacock in living color, it changed
my TV experience. Suddenly the colors of cars was not a guesswork experience,
shades of pinks, blues, greens, and yellows filled the backgrounds. I can still
remember watching Hazel, and all the colors, including Mrs. B driving a red
Mustang convertible, a 1965. It took a few years until my family could afford
one, my main source was at my Grandparent’s house on weekends we visited, and
any show in color was worth watching. But one night, when watching an old
classic, my TV world changed.
The Wizard of Oz was a yearly treat, and much anticipated. In this world
of no VCR’s, DVR’s, and predating SONY’s Beta, you waited faithfully for your
show to come on, TV Guide in one hand, and hoping your parents wanted to watch
what you wanted. But TWoO was for everyone, and one night at my Grandparent’s
it all changed for me. Dorothy and Toto were stuck in the house when the
tornado hit Kansas, while all others were in the storm cellar. The house took
off as usual in black and white, and landed in black and white. But when she
opened the door in Munchkinland, it was in color. A real yellow brick road,
swirled around a red one, that no one paid attention to. Wonder where it went?
The Munchkins were in all the colors of the rainbow, now that she had traveled
somewhere over it. The horse of a different color was, I learned Emerald City
was green, and way too much for one 11 year old to take in. It changed my view
of Oz forever, and of TV watching. It had gone from black and white, BC, Before
Color, to somewhere over the airwaves rainbow to AD, After Dorothy. And my
world and hers would never be the same. Truly Toto and I were not in Kansas any
more, we were in living color!
For anyone born after color TV became the norm, they cannot understand the
impact of color on TV. Even browns and greens, and various shades of gray had
color now. Dorothy’s landing in Munchkinland, changed all that. But so did
killing the bad witch. Even the ruby slippers were now in color. Black and
gray don’t sparkle. And had a special value. Too bad many go through life
thinking there is no God, or that he doesn’t love them. They are stuck in a
black in white world, BC, with no color too it. Oh they live in color, but it
takes the spirit to make the colors come alive. For when you see things through
God’s eyes you see things in a different way. Colors become alive, details
matter, and there are dozens of the color blue. Blue skies, blue water, blue
motorcycles! So many shades that now you have Caspian Blue, Sky blue, Wisteria,
and so many others. Mrs. B’s Mustang is Roman Red, which is different than
Mercedes Benz Mars Red. Seeing things through his eyes brings color into your
life. We refer to our old days as BC, Before Christ, and after now we have
color and purpose to enjoy life through. All the colors of the rainbow, not
just the 7 the eye sees, we have a heavenly perspective. And we don’t have to
travel over the rainbow to get there.
But unlike Dorothy’s experience with the Wizard, God opens the door for us
to see all. He hides nothing from us, and when in Christ, we have all the
riches and glory available to us. In color. Living color. Where there was
fear, he now prepares a meal in the presence of our enemies. And we have no
fear. He has set a yellow brick road before us to follow, because not all roads
lead to him, only the one named Jesus. But like life, it too has twists and
turns, and Jesus knows them all, because he is the great shepherd. Sheep even
get lost on well worn trails, he guides us with his rod and staff. His staff to
keep us from falling, and his rod to ward off the danger. Both loving tools in
the hands of the great shepherd. But like the trip to Oz, we have tests and
trials along the way. Temptations. And we meet others who need the wizard, who
need Jesus along the way. Dorothy’s testimony of the wizard encouraged others
to come along to see, what does your witness tell others? Do they want to
follow Jesus because of you? Or despite you? Even the Tin Man needed oil in
his can, the Holy Spirit to give him a heart. You may be rusty and not realize
it. You may have fears like the Cowardly Lion, or just want brains to be like
the Scarecrow. While some seek wizards, we find all we need in Jesus Christ.
And when flying monkeys come into our life, we turn to Jesus, and he protects
us. Our view of life is real and colorful, not just shades of gray. Or black.
Or death. Color is found in the life of Christ!
But like Dorothy was reminded, she had the way back all the time, her ruby
slippers. The way back to God is available to all, it takes the spirit to know
it, and he constantly tells us”we need Jesus,” even Jesus knocks on the door to
your heart. Munchkinland may be somewhere over the rainbow, Jesus Christ is
here and now. And tomorrow and forever....a message found in The Wizard of Oz,
only through the eyes of the spirit. You too can go from Before Color to after
Dorothy and be born again. Don’t let it take a tornado to do it. Find safety
and peace in Christ today. Go to bed knowing that if I die before I wake, that
God will see you face to face in heaven. You don’t have to doubt any more. Nor
live life wondering what all the colors mean. When he reveals his spirit to
you, you find life. Living color, in a living God. Who sent his son to die for
you. Are you sure of your final destiny? Even Toto knew he wasn’t in Kansas
anymore. Do you?
God wants to welcome you to that place somewhere over the rainbow, that is
as close as your heart. God is a spirit, and must be worshipped as such. See
the invisible today, turn to Jesus and wherever his Yellow Brick Road goes
follow. Maybe also find out where the red one leads also. and encounter new
friends and experiences along the way. That brings color to your life. Or fall
back into pre-Munchkinland life with no color. Dorothy was seeking and found
the wizard. We seek and find Jesus. Your choice will land you somewhere, make
sure a house doesn’t land on you. The colors were there all along, it just took
a color TV to reveal them. Reach out for Jesus today, and find out he was, and
is there all along. Before color was God, and after Dorothy is God. Color made
the difference. When that color is painted in the likeness of Jesus, the
curtain is drawn away, your eyes opened, and your soul saved. And to paraphrase
Dorothy, “I hope you are there, and you are there, and you are there....”
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com