Is there a yellow brick road?

For the full context of this post read James 1:13-27.

Dorothy, her friends, and her little dog were all searching for something that would bring them joy. All they had to do was follow the yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. He held all the answers. Dorothy wanted to go home and the Wizard could get her there. She and her friends journeyed together on the yellow brick road to see the Wizard.

I want something that will bring me joy. I want to go home to my eternal home. I wish my path to Christ were as simple as following a yellow brick road. Instead, my life seems full of flying monkeys, fires, rain storms, and scary stuff. Even the things that I think will bring me joy, like fields of beautiful flowers, often turn out to be all sorts of life numbing distractions. There is no yellow brick road which can take me to Christ, but the Bible provides a few directions for the journey.

25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do (James 1:25).

James wrote to believers about trials, testing of the faith, and temptations. He warned to be slow to speak and slow to become angry. He gave direction that believers should get rid of moral filth and evil. It is these types of expectations which cause some people to think Christianity is a list of do’s and don’ts and that Christians aren’t allowed to have fun. Unfortunately, even Christians sometimes miss the joy that is intended for those who follow Christ.

James encouraged believers not to simply hear the word of Christ, but to do it. He told believers that whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it, will be blessed in what they do. To look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom creates a mind picture of a beautiful journey which leads not down a path of yellow bricks, but to a future path of golden streets. The law is perfect and gives freedom! Those who follow it are blessed! So take heed! Avoid the flying monkeys, fires, rain storms, and life numbing distractions. Look intently into the perfect law and follow that path to freedom and blessing!