Today on the front of the Frankfurter Allgemeine
Newspaper there was a photo and story about a map that was recently found at a
library in Munich. It is from the 16th
Century, and is the first map to show the New World as its own continent, and
is the first to give that continent a name – America, after the Italian
explorer Amerigo Vespucci.
The map is interesting because it shows an amazingly
accurate depiction of Europe, Africa and Asia – much as we know them
today. But this newly discovered
continent of America is shown as a large island, similar in shape to Florida,
and is limited to what would now be the north-east potion of South America.
Yet in 1507, this map was the most accurate and complete summation
of what was known of the world by the best and brightest of the day. Certainly we can’t fault the cartographers of
the 16th Century for their limited knowledge and understanding of
the nature and breadth of the globe – they were in the midst of learning. The wisest among them recognized that there
was much more to learn, and so exploration and discovery continued.
Perhaps the spiritual parallels are obvious – but I was
struck by them nonetheless. Paul tells
us that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared
for them that love him. (I Corinthians 2:9). Many are familiar with that verse, but Paul
was actually quoting the prophet Isaiah, who wrote, in chapter 64, verse 4, “For
since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear,
neither has the eye seen, O God, besides you, what he has prepared for him that
waits for him”
The wisest of Christians realize that
they have never fully grasped the heights and depths, the length and breadth of
the knowledge of God. That we will never
fully plumb the fullness of God should not discourage us from our pursuit of
Him. May God forbid that we should find
ourselves satisfied with our perception of who He is! His love, His mercy, His holiness, His
righteousness – all that make Him God - is worthy of our fullest exploration,
our deepest desire, our ceaseless wonder.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
~The Love Of God
Frederick Martin Lehman
Lyrics & Composer
1868-1953
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