The Map That Wasn’t Wrong
Moments of Story, Moments with God
That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3 KJV
Three friends they were, as they started out on their journey.
They were optimistic and confident. After all, they were seasoned travelers who believed they could handle any difficulty.
Yet, the terrain was dangerous.
The roads were narrow and slick with rain. Deep ravines loomed everywhere and dark clouds hung low, blurring what lay ahead.
But they had a map.
It was large and colorful, clearly marking the way to the top. Great treasures awaited them there, hidden beneath the dust and storms of the ages. Gold, wealth, happiness; all of it would be theirs, or so they had heard.
However, the journey was not as easy as they had expected. Surprisingly, most of the trouble did not come from the weather or the terrain, but from an unexpected corner: they each read the map differently, and friction arose.
After only a few steps the youngest claimed, the map told them to turn left at the river. The second, a year older, said that wasn’t true and called the youngest foolish for saying so. To him, the map clearly indicated that following the river for a few miles was the better option.
The third, the oldest, scoffed at both. “You are looking at the map from the wrong side,” he said. “The river is inconsequential. You both are fools. We need to go straight up the mountain. It is a shortcut that will save us hours.”
And so, their friendship was tested. As they argued, something queer happened to the map. Its outlines blurred and grew foggy, and they stared at it in shock. At first they thought, their eyesight was failing but they could still see one another clearly.
Finally, the oldest sighed to the youngest. “Alas, let us do as you suggested and follow the river. At least I can still see the stream; perhaps it’s the safest route for now.”
The youngest was pleased and the second agreed, though begrudgingly.
As they traveled on, to their surprise, the map became clear again. Gone was the blur and so was the fog from before their eyes.
But not for long. After only a mile, another argument arose and this time the entire map turned gray and unreadable.
“Brothers,” said the oldest, “I fear we are going about this all wrong. When we fight in selfish pursuit, we lose our only guide to the top. We must put our pride aside, listen to one another and work together.”
He had barely finished speaking when the map cleared again. The three were stunned and a deep, reverent fear washed over them.
“From now on,” said the second, “we will work together and climb in peace.”
It wasn’t easy, but their desire for the great treasure proved stronger than their pride. At last they reached the top, only to be met with another surprise. Instead of finding silver or gold they stood before a crude wooden cross, standing firm in the wind.
They stood in silent awe, the air around them heavy with quiet wonder. The longer they looked, the lighter their hearts became. The road behind them with the mud, all the arguments and their fears, seemed suddenly small.
The eldest knelt first, not because he understood, but because he felt understood.
“The map,” the youngest whispered, “it was never broken.”
The second nodded slowly. “We were.”
And there, at the summit, with nothing left to prove or to argue over, they realized they had not lost the treasure after all. They had finally found it. It was hidden in the One who had been guiding them the entire way.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit. Help me overcome my selfish pride, that I may encourage my brothers and sisters and grow in understanding of the depth of Your treasures. Amen.
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