No Yellow Bricks to Pave this Road...

In the well known and loved movie "The Wizard of Oz", Dorothy and her adorable dog "Toto" are transported by a tornado to another land. Even though it's filled with amazing, magical creatures and beautiful scenery, Dorothy remains true to her course to find her way back home. She is given the instructions to "follow the yellow brick road" to find her way back. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had our own personal "yellow brick road" to follow to get back "home"?

In Paul's letter to the church in Thessolonica, his concern for their faith, love for them, and desire to see them again leaps off the page. Paul was only able to spend a short time with the new believers in Thessolonica before he was driven away by persecution. Since then, it's obvious that he had spent much time praying for them- that they would remain true to the faith they claimed. Persecution in this area was apparently pretty strong, and Paul was concerned for the young faith of these new believers. Finally, he could stand it no longer and sent Timothy to check on them. Timothy thankfully brought back a favorable report regarding their faith and love for each other, but must have reported that they needed a little clearing up on some theological points. Don't we all?! In Paul's encouragement and teaching to this church, we find several gold brick that we can use to pave our own yellow brick road "home."

Abstain from sexual immorality. I find it interesting that Paul lists this one sin specifically. What drove Paul to mention this specifically I can't say, but it is obvious that guarding against this in our lives should be a priority for us. Paul links this sin specifically to impurity (4:7-8) and implies that choosing to pursue or persist in sexual immorality is walking in the exact opposite of the direction God would want to you to go. It hurts not only you, but also many others who are in close (or will be in close) relationships with you. (Paul's reference to "theft"). Also, a person should not mix human sexual impurity with God's Holy nature in the Holy Spirit, who lives within us as Christians (Holman Christian Study Bible).

Love abundantly, lead a quiet life, mind your own business, and work with your own hands (4:10-12). Here Paul is encouraging them to be above reproach. Earn your own keep- don't expect handouts. Mind your own business....hmmm, perhaps not gossiping? Lead a quiet life. This really sounds lovely doesn't it? We can get frustrated with the hum-drum day to day life we live, crave excitement and even seek it out. I think Paul would tell you that excitement will eventually find you- and you should relish the quiet while you have it!

Look forward to Christ's return with hope. Apparently many of the believers in Thessolonica were fearful of Christ's return. Paul reminds them that it is a time of hope for those who have placed their faith in Him, something to look forward to. He encourages them to use thoughts of Christ's return to motivate them to work seriously for Christ here while they have the chance, encouraging one another and building each other up.

This last list needs no added explanation:

Rejoice always.

Pray constantly.

Give thanks in everything,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Don't stifle the Spirit.

Don't despise prophecies,

but test all things.

Hold on to what is good.

Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

These are the bricks that pave our road home to heaven. The guide stones that lead us down the path to hope, joy, love and faithfulness- what is "good for one another and for all." On the days when you feel like you need a yellow brick road out of wherever land you have been transported to- remember that you don't actually need yellow bricks.

No yellow bricks to pave this road, Oh, straight and narrow lead me home.

Lead me home!

Matt Maher- "Everything and Nothing"