People of the Map

I was recently driving to Putter’s Adventure Golf for the Tasmanian SDA–PGA Youth Golf Championship.

Being new to the area I pulled my car over to study the map. I knew it was in Moonah, but was unsure of the exact location.
As I consulted my map a car pulled up across the road. A man stepped out and wandered hesitantly toward me. He had a tourist map of Hobart in his hand. “Where is Brooker Avenue?” he inquired in a thick European accent.
As I checked the index of my map book to find Brooker Avenue, another car pulled up. This time a young woman hopped out and jogged over to my car. “I couldn’t help noticing you guys have a map. Could I borrow it for a moment?” she asked.
“Are you a local?” I queried.
“Yes,” she said.
“Well, maybe you can help us!” I said, “Do you know where Adventure Golf is located?” She did, and gave me quick and easy directions.
Then the gentleman with the tourist map asked, “Could you tell me where to find Brooker Avenue?” Yes, she could and directions were quickly given. I then handed her my map and she quickly found her destination.
As I finished my drive to Adventure Golf I couldn’t help thinking about us—the people of the Map. What would happen if we stopped our hectic lives once in a while and opened our Map—the Bible—in public.
Would newcomers come up to us with their tourist map of the truth and ask for more light?
Would locals—who know and love the Bible—stop by to share wisdom they’ve developed from years of living by the Map?
King David knew the value of following God’s Map. And he had only bits of the Old Testament to build his knowledge from. We have the entire Map! If David could say, “Oh, how I love your law!” (Psalm 119:97, NIV), how much more can we say?
From now on I’m going to read the Map in public more. I hope people stop to discuss the guidance it offers!
“Anyone for directions?”

Benefits of Map Reading from the Pen of King David
Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;
I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
they never become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
that's why I hate false propaganda.
By your words I can see where I’m going;
they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
from living by your righteous order.
—Psalm 119: 97-106, The Message