Articles
The Map
The boy had never seen his father study a map so carefully. He asked, “Father, why are
you looking at that map?”
His father smiled. “This map shows the street of the city to which we are going. They say
there is work there, in the city.” Then the father’s smile became sad. “I used to always know
where I was,” He said, “but the world has changed. Now we are going where we have never been
before. For that, one needs a map”.
The journey was long, and there was much time for thought. After a while, the boy again
looked to his father. “Father my birthday is coming soon. I know that I should not ask for much,
but there is one thing you could give.”
“I will give you whatever I can son. What is it you want?” The boy replied, “A map.”
The father was puzzled. “Why do you ask for a map?” The boy thought carefully. He said,
“Because I will be growing older. I will be going where I have never been before. And you said,
‘for that, one needs a map.’”
The truth is, whether young or old, we are all going where we have never been before.
Every day we face new decisions, new demands, and new dangers. How are we to find our way
safely through these? How are we to guide our families and especially our young ones? There are
maps for every part of the world, is there a map for our greatest journey of all, life itself?
How quickly this one, brief life passes (James 4:14). To ruin it by choosing a wrong road
would be a terrible waste. How can we be sure of life’s true purpose, direction, and the proper
preparation for what lies beyond death? In seeking a map of life, we should open the Bible. “Thy
word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).
~ Copied, Central church of Christ, Bastrop, LA
