Weekly Newsletter: Behind the Curtain, Part 1

In the movie, The Wizard of Oz, a pivotal moment happens when Dorothy pulls back the curtain to reveal the man operating the controls used to create the image of an awesome, fearful wizard. Their hopes have been placed in the power of the wizard to deliver them from their plight and give them their heart’s desire. In reality, the wizard is just a man.
 
For some people, a similar experience happens when we draw back the curtain that separates us from the spiritual leaders we have entrusted with our faith. We discover they are humans and not spiritual wizards who can grant our every wish and make life wonderful. For some people, this realization devastates their faith and leaves them shattered. The wizard of Oz redeemed himself by helping three of the four seekers to discover that what they sought they already possessed. They just didn’t recognize it. In the end, Dorothy also discovered the power to return to her home was with her all along.
 
When we put our spiritual leaders on a pedestal and look to them for our spiritual answers, we do them and ourselves a disservice. Some of those leaders may have allowed their position to inflate their egos and fell naturally into the role of savior, but no matter who they are, one day the curtain will be pulled back, and the world will see who they, and perhaps who we really are. If we are men and women of substance the curtain isn’t needed and shouldn’t be there.