The Map

There was a King who decided to go on a long journey to a dying land, far from His castle. Those within His joyful kingdom were overflowing with an abundance of blessings that The King found glory in providing for them. Yet, The King’s heart was moved with compassion for those who cried daily for deliverance down in the valley. Messengers had already been sent to tell those wandering in darkness of The King of Light who was soon coming & could set them free. Some listened but others refused to believe such hope existed.

This story is of two slaves who cried for the King to save them from their chains of darkness. They called on a night when the light of His glorious presence passed by their way. The King promised to turn none away that cried unto Him for deliverance. The men rejoiced greatly and leaped for joy that the chains were gone.

The King then presented each man with a map. He instructed the men to follow it in order to live successful. However, The King did not force the men to walk accordingly. This was a choice for each of the men to make on their own. The one man proudly chose to roll up the map and take his own path that seemed right in his own eyes. The other man studied the map carefully and sought The King’s wisdom to understand how to follow it better. Both men began their separate journeys.

The man who followed the map climbed uphill towards a high mountain. Looking down he saw the other man walking on a different path which lead through a beautiful field, rich with soil.

To the man climbing the steep hill, it didn’t make sense why his fellow comrade’s way was easier than following the way of the map. Yet, the man chose to continue trusting that the wise King knew what was best for him. He continued with endurance up the steep and winding path.

Years passed and the man who chose his own way had sown much in the field and was reaping many riches. Meanwhile, the man who had followed the map had grown strong in carving a house and small village out of the mountain.

One night a sore famine entered the land. The massive sandstorm destroyed the shallow crops in the field. The next morning the man who had chosen his own way, found his life had been ruined and his happiness was taken. Looking up towards the mountain, the man saw the other man who had followed the map. There, he saw that the man’s vineyards lining the walls of the mountain village were still fresh. The trees planted by the streams, flowing through the mountain remained standing tall. The man’s livelihood had been touched by the same storm, yet the man who had followed the map grew stronger from it and stood undefeated. He wasn’t mocking him for his obedience to the King now. The man was smote to the heart. He was not mocking his comrade for his obedience now. The man then unrolled the long forgotten map. “If only I had followed the map my King gave me.” He regretfully cried and fell to his knees. He wept in remorse for the wrong choice he had made and cried out for help.

The King immediately stretched out his hand for the man to take. The man accepted it and he was pulled back up onto his feet. The King mercifully pointed out the path on the map that the man should take. The King promised to give the man strength when the path would feel too much to bare.

Though the man had suffered loss, he was grateful for the undeserved mercy of The King. He found an unexplained joy overflowing within him as he began his journey, following the map. His joy was not based on the happening of his circumstances, instead he rejoiced in the joy that came from accepting the reviving goodness and mercy of his King.

By: Miss Anonymous