I wrote this post, Wanted: Ruby Slippers about a week ago. Since then, I have had several references to the “Wizard of Oz” come across my path.
So many of our favorite stories center around finding home or that perfect spot or paradise. Interestingly, it may start right in our toddler years with the story of Peter Cottontail.
In speaking of the Israelites, the write of Hebrews tells us:
“All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT)
There are times in this life that we may not receive that which we are praying. We do not receive the job, the children, the financial security, the husband or the healing that we are asking of God. Perhaps it is a situation that we have prayed about for years. Yet, we still believe. We do not give up. Like the Israelites, we keep our eyes focused on what is in the distance. We do not retreat or go back. We keep looking. We keep looking for what is yet to come. We run our race with excellence knowing that He, our God, has Himself prepared a city for us.
*** This post I dedicate to Joann Orr who fought a brave fight & today went home to be with the Lord.
