"Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore"

"Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

If you remember L. Frank Baum's story about Dorothy and her dog Toto being caught in the path of a tornado, then you remember that line from the Wizard of Oz.

Yesterday, I thought about that line when I saw the videos of crazy people fighting over whatever they could get their hands on in stores across the nation. I thought to myself, "Not only are we not in Kansas anymore, are we really in America? Is this brawl actually happening in our country? Can you believe two women actually came to blows over a vegetable strainer??"

Black Friday, which should really be called Black and Blue Friday, had arrived. I feel sure there were some people who felt that truly, they had been caught in the path of a tornado. I wonder if the store owners/managers felt all the hype about sales was worth the destruction they were witnessing as big screen T.V.'s came crashing to the floor; jewelry cases where smashed into smithereens and displays they had spent hours on were wiped out in seconds.

Most of the people, when entering the stores, didn't expect to be caught up in a brawl. Some families make Black Friday a part of their holiday experience. The ladies in particular, enjoy the shopping experience with each other and never intend to get in the middle of a wrestling match. But, in times like these, gang mentality takes over. One person wants what someone else has; wrestles it from them; friends see what is happening and jump in to help. Next thing you know, an all out war has been waged within four walls and innocent people are soon being knocked about just because they were there.

You know, we could compare this with the way Satan works. He entices people with thoughts of pleasure; enjoyment for a time; acquiring wonderful things; being with friends for a day of carefree fun. Now what could be wrong with that? Once people are drawn in by Satan's promises, he blinds their eyes and it's difficult to get out unscathed.

"Satan, who is the god of this evil world, has made him blind, unable to see the glorious light of the Gospel that is shining upon him or to understand the amazing message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is God." 2 Corinthians 4:4Living Bible (TLB)

You're right, Dorothy, we're not in Kansas anymore. Instead, we are in a world where evil exists on every side and it will take more than a wizard to change the minds of those whom Satan has deceived.