The If I Only Factor: Lessons from the Yellow Brick Road

Trust is everything. We often say that stepping out in faith requires trust, yet we still use the phrase “if I only” to justify the gap between our faith and our actions. This is especially true when it comes to evangelism.

We tend to look at our own perceived limitations and disqualify ourselves before we even begin. We tell ourselves:

• “I don’t have the gift of evangelism.”
• “I’m not ready or equipped.”
• “That’s just not me.”

When I hear those excuses, I usually tell people, “You’re exactly right!”

Most Christians don’t have a special “gift” for this, and few ever truly feel “ready.” But that’s the point—evangelism isn’t about us. Our excuses usually center on what we think we lack, but God says that by faith alone, we already possess everything we need.

The movie The Wizard of Oz provides a wonderful picture of this struggle. It helps us see past the “If I only” syndrome that keeps us on the sidelines.

1. “If I only had a brain.”
Like the Scarecrow, we often think we’d share our faith if we were just a little smarter or knew more Bible verses. We worry that because we aren’t trained theologians, we won’t have the “right” answers to hard questions.

But while only a small percentage of people have a specific “gift” for evangelism, the rest of us aren’t off the hook. God commissions all of us, and He doesn’t expect us to go it alone; He gives us His Word. That is where the power lies. A simple gospel message can be chiseled down to just six words: “Believe. Your sins are fully forgiven.” Just as the Scarecrow’s diploma reminded him to trust his own mind, we must trust that God’s Word is enough to convert a heart, even when our own words feel inadequate.

2. “If I only had a heart.”
Then there is the Tin Man’s struggle. We say, “I’m just too busy,” or “I don’t have the time.” We know evangelism is inconvenient. It requires an investment of time, energy, and emotion that our human nature would rather spend elsewhere.

But what prompts us to reach out to a lost soul? The Tin Man was given a heart and he instantly loved. For the Christian, we don’t have to manufacture that love; we love because Christ first loved us. It was His sacrificial love that drove Him to the cross, and that same compassion resides in us. When we step out in faith, we aren’t just “completing a task”—we are investing in something eternal. It may not pay off in the way the world expects, but it yields joy and peace that goes beyond measure.

3. “If I only had the nerve.”
Finally, we relate to the Cowardly Lion because he is so vulnerable. We might put up a front of confidence, but when we’re faced with a chance to speak, the fear kicks in and the excuses pour out. Evangelism can be terrifying.

The Cowardly Lion was given a medal for bravery, and he found the nerve to be who he was always created to be: the King of the Forest. He had simply forgotten who he was—and often, so do we. When we look at the Great Commission, we tend to look in the mirror and tremble. But God tells us to look at Him instead. He gave us a promise to carry alongside that commission: “And surely, I will be with you until the end of time.”

There’s No Place Like Home
Throughout the movie, Dorothy’s eyes were always fixed on one goal: returning home. She knew Oz was a temporary stop, not her destination.

As Christians, we remember that we aren’t home yet, either. The end of this age will come suddenly—whether like a thief in the night or “three clicks of the heel.” When we are spurred by compassion and the wisdom God provides, we can set aside our self-preservation. We can focus on our primary purpose: sharing the message of salvation with others.

Because in the end, there really is no place like home.