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Louis B. Mayer looked inside his own studio and took a chance on a teenager whose name had recently been changed from Frances Gumm to Judy Garland.


When finally completed, The Wizard of Oz was screened in a theater in San Luis Obispo, California. Audiences seemed to enjoy it, but the producer Mervyn LeRoy thought one element of the film slowed the plot down. Thus he ordered that the song “(Somewhere) Over The Rainbow” be cut from the final print. If not for the insistence of associ- ate producer Arthur Freed, the classic song would have likely never been heard again. Now, as you picture Judy singing that song, con- sider what movie audiences would have missed if Mervyn LeRoy had been given his way.


Many view church attendance, prayer and tithing in the same way as LeRoy viewed “Over The Rainbow” — an unnecessary part of life’s plot. On the surface, this belief seems understandable. People are in- credibly busy. They live in a world that is whirling by at breakneck speed. Yet just like The Wizard of Oz wouldn’t be complete without Judy Garland singing “Over The Rainbow”, we need a time to slow down, pray, hear God’s word and fellowship with other Christians to have a really complete week. This change of pace in life’s script al- lows us a few moments to put the other elements of our hurried life into perspective.


The Wizard of Oz became one of the most beloved films of all time. Judy Garland’s “Over The Rainbow” has come to be recognized as one of America’s greatest secular anthems of hope and faith. But if you listen to the words, I think it also reflects the meaning of the rain- bow found in the Bible’s first book. God gave us the symbol to assure us of His continuing love. But to fully grasp and use that love in our lives, it helps to have a church family to celebrate our joys and pro- vide support when things go wrong. Millions have found comfort in the song “Over The Rainbow” and can’t imagine The Wizard of Oz without it. Hundreds of millions have been blessed and their lives en- riched by spending an hour each week with fellow Christians. The treasure promised at the end of the rainbow is most likely to be dis- covered when sitting in a pew or doing God’s work. So in the midst of a busy life, remember how important it is to take a deep breath and get involved in prayer, worship and outreach.


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