Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (Proverbs 4:23)
Read: Genesis 48:1-49:33, Matthew 15:29-16:12, Psalm 20:1-9, Proverbs 4:20-27
Listen:
Relate: I know, this picture comes from a TV miniseries that reinterpreted the Wizard of Oz with a bit of a sci-fi twist. Honestly, I haven’t seen it and so can’t really comment much more on it than that. What I can comment on is the tin man in the story in the classic movie version of The Wizard of Oz. It is far more simple than what Frank Baum wrote in his book. The real “Tin Man” didn’t start out as a tin man. Before he became rusted to a standstill on the yellow brick road, the tin man was once a real woodsman (not a cop). He was in love with a beautiful maiden but the witch hated their love and so she cast one spell after another on this woodsman. Each time she did he lost a limb and it had to be replaced with an artificial appendage. Finally, a curse was spoken, the ax slipped, and it cut his heart in two. At this tragedy, he finally was fully refitted with tin and at first, he thought it was the greatest thing in the world. This tin woodsman was now a much harder worker, he was more efficient than ever and he needed far less rest than before. Leaving his fair maiden behind for longer and longer segments of time, the Tin Man became the most efficient and successful woodsman ever. Seeing that he still was not stopped, the witch sent a sudden rain where the woodsman was working. The tin man was caught unprepared and found himself stuck in place for a year with nothing to do but reflect. In this reflection, he realized then that losing his heart was the worst of all his misfortunes. By the time Dorothy, Toto, and the Scarecrow come by he had long since resolved to ask the wizard for a new one. (Isn’t it amazing what you miss out on when you watch a movie instead of reading a book?)
React: Like the tin woodman western society is absolutely full of men who think that hard work and productivity and efficiency are the greatest things in the world. Now don’t get me wrong, there is much to be said for a good old-fashioned strong work ethic. That said, how many have sacrificed something greater for that good? How often on his deathbed has a man said he wished he had spent more time at work? Have we been leaving our fair maidens by the roadside? Have we forgotten what, and who, we were working for in the first place? It is so easy, in the drudgery and monotony of daily living to lose the wonder of it all. That is why we so desperately need to guard our heart. For without it we are doomed to a life of passionless drudgery in this life and far worse in the life to come.
Respond:
Dear Lord,
You are so beautiful. Your works are amazing and Your Creation is beautiful. This my heart knows very well, so Lord, help me to guard my heart that I might not forget. Let it always melt at the joy of Your Creation and let it always break at the agony of the cross.
Amen
THE RIVER WALK 
Society has so misled all. I’m curious though about the woodsman (not a cop) phrase.
Apparently, in the TV miniseries, the tin man was a cop. I haven’t seen it, but I am pretty sure I read that on imdb.
Interesting. I was checking on line for information on this thinking I missed something between the book and movie versions. Its something how the two can vary so much. Just like when we read the Word of God in the Bible and movies alter it to fit the directors position.
I always say the book is better than the movie (with a couple rare exceptions). When it comes to the Bible, the Book is always, quite definitely better than any movie.
Amen to both.
“It is so easy, in the drudgery and monotony of daily living to lose the wonder of it all.”
And the bestest “wonder” of all … the choice to change drudgery to wonder at any second in every day. My choice, your choice, always! I find that phenomenal!
Wow, what a cool part of the book I was unaware of! I love that backstory. Also, now I gotta look into this tv show hahaa. Oh, and I love how great books slip life lessons in there – such a beautiful thing to learn from life and fiction ❤
What makes the greatest books and movies the greatest is that they contain some eternal truth that resonates with everybody’s longing for God.
Definitely!
“Passionless drudgery” – reminded me of Ecclesiastes there.
Also, I personally believe that the Bible is the best literature and most TV and movies are just stealing its themes in one way or another. After all, Jesus came to take away our heart of stone and give us one of flesh (Jeremiah 33).
I absolutely love this version of this song! I could listen to it all day!!
Reblogged this on ChristianBlessings and commented:
Give the Lord your heart today.
Beejai, I had completely forgotten the original story of the wizard of oz. The show tin man represents the original story better than the movie. It’s actually REALLY good. I’d recommend it if you have Netflix.
I don’t have netflix but am downloading it and will probably watch it sometime in the next few weeks.
Yep…the alarm went off at 03:15 hrs for me to drag myself out of bed to be at work at 0400 on a Saturday morning. I work 12 days in row and have 2 off so I can then come home and mow the half acre of lawn and wash the 2 cars and clean up the house. God opened the door for me to have this job 2 years ago and it has been a blessing and a curse. I still have not found rest in it. Well, I do for a time and then break out in protests . No wonder people buy lotto tickets!