Lessons I Learned From The Wiz Pt. 2
Welcome back to Lessons I Learned From The Wiz Pt. 2.
Allow these characters to help you be the winner you are.
Scarecrow, no self-worth: He was surrounded by naysayers and folks who wanted him to stay stuck. He eventually believed their lies about him and the lies became his reality. He sang “You Can’t Win” with all his heart and believed the words to the song. It wasn’t until Dorothy came along and told him otherwise that he have an epiphany that he had value. I’m learning that I have to surround myself with positive and forward thinking people who will encourage and propel me to a better future. It all starts with belief. Who is speaking into your life? What are they saying? Is their voice bigger than yours? Is it bigger than God’s?
The Wiz LIVE! aired live on NBC on December 3, 2015.
Tinman, heart issues: He thought he needed a heart but he already ha one, he just didn’t know it. He shared how the “witch” changed him from a person to his current state. He believed he did not have the capacity to love. He too needed a surrounding change. He was put in numerous situations where he had to activate the love he already had to save Dorothy. At the end, he realized that love was in him, he just had to act on it. Are you holding onto pain and hurt from the past? What has made you put up a wall to your heart? Who do you need to forgive to begin the healing process? Is it yourself?
Lion, fearful coward: He needed courage to overcome his daily life circumstances. He was afraid of everything and everybody. He, too, needed to see that he was not defined by his situation. Lion is who I related to the most. I had to realize that God has given me the grace to endure and overcome everything that comes my way. I found my voice when confronted a supervisor who literally harassed me daily. Once I spoke up for myself, she stopped. Doors began to open and eventually I found the courage to quit that job. Then I found courage to start a nonprofit. As I took steps towards what God had for me, I had to dig deep to grab courage and to rely on faith to get me through those scary times in my life. What are you fearful about when it comes to moving forward in your life? What is one simple thing you can do to get you closer to becoming an overcomer?
The Wizard, phony fraud: He gave the appearance of being ferocious, all mighty, dominating and one to be feared. Everyone in OZ knew to stay away from the wizard because of his reputation. In reality, the wizard was lying to himself and others. He used scare tactics to hide his insecurities and to keep others from getting close to him. Having been a failure made him resort to lying about who he was. Once the veil was removed, we saw immediately that this person used deception to be accepted and even worshiped. I remember being in Germany and surrounded by some mighty women of God. I quickly took on their mannerisms and their way of doing things. Soon after, my husband would check me on what I was saying and doing. He continued to remind me that I was not being true to myself by mimicking them. I didn’t want to do it but I felt that if I didn’t, they would think I was not as holy as they were. I praise God I have a husband who set me straight and eventually those friendships faded. Are there mannerisms that you display that are not the true you? Are you doing and saying things that are not you? Pray and ask God to free you from that. Be the REAL YOU! Your blessings come to you this way.
Quick recap:
Leave the past in the past. Let it GO!
Exchange the devil’s lies for God’s truth about you. His truth will set you free.
God is LOVE! Love is your foundation. Let it fuel everything you do.
Take courage! God is with you! He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Stop playing charades! Be authentic. After all, you were created in His image.
Once you find out who you are and where you belong, you now have an obligation to help others. You are blessed to be a blessing for such a time as this.