"We're going to Oz to see the Wizard. I'm going to ask him for a brain." The Scarecrow

I want you to know that my wife and I have brilliant children. I'm sure that they will all be nuclear scientists or brain surgeons or even game programmers someday. But along the way, there have been many times when I wished that they had joined the Scarecrow in his quest for a brain.

Any parent can recall dozens of times when their children acted in, shall we say, less than intelligent ways. But, that's okay, because that's how children get smarter - by acting dumb! The good news for those of you who have children at this stage is that they eventually do become smarter. The bad news is that they usually get smarter than their parents. Worse news, still, is that they know that they are smarter. Worse news of all is that they will let you know that they know that they are smarter.

That's when you hit them with a two-by-four.

Now, it's perfectly natural for kids to act like kids. It's sad, however, when they continue to act like kids long after they should have grown up. Sadder, still, is when we as children of God fail to mature at the pace that God knows we can. There are far too many adults wandering around this world of ours as if they need to make a quick trip to Oz to see if there are any brains left. They live lives that are contrary to the teachings of God, and they wonder why their lot in life is so hard.

Life is hard! Too hard, in fact, to go through it without wising up at some point. We see perfectly healthy people on the side of the road with signs that read, "Will Work For Food". Something childish within me wants to stop and tell them "that's how life works". We see these children of privilege, "Occupying Wall Street". They are mad! They are really mad! They are really, really, really mad! But, why are they so mad? It's because "rich people" won't give them some of their money! Really? Have we raised a generation of morons?

I look at such people, people who I feel should have made that trip to Oz long ago, and I feel pretty smug. Smug, that is, until I realize that this is the precise way I act before God at times. I have my "spiritual sign" that says, "Will work for spiritual food" and I imagine that God looks at me and wonders why I don't. 

If you find yourself in similar circumstances, then do what we all must do if we are ever going to amount to anything. Read your Bible, find out what God commands, and then do it! And, don't forget to ask for some wisdom to help you on your journey. You won't have to "go to Oz" to get it. Just open that Bible, read, and pray for wisdom. It will take a lot of effort, for such treasure is hard to come by... but it is worth the effort.

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. Job 2:3-5, NIV