GOD’S UNFINISHED MAP

This map, displayed in Veharan at Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, is known as Hamatarats Ashkharhatsuyts (World Map). Crafted by Thomas Vanandetsi in 1695 in Amsterdam, it’s the first map ever printed in the Armenian script. It was one of the first printed in Europe to include both geographic details and the stars above.

Crafted with care and incredible precision, it shows us just how skilled and visionary Thomas Vanandetsi was. But there’s something curious about this map—it’s unfinished. The western part of the United States and the eastern part of Australia are missing. Not because Thomas Vanandetsi made a mistake but because, in his time, those lands were still undiscovered! They hadn’t yet come into view.

And it brings to mind something powerful for us today: we’re all like unfinished maps in God’s hands. Sometimes, when we look at our lives, we see the parts that feel unfinished, incomplete. We wonder why some dreams haven’t come to pass, why certain prayers seem unanswered, why some of the pieces don’t quite fit yet. But here’s the good news: God’s not done with us! We are works in progress.

Scripture tells us in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” God didn’t bring you this far to leave you unfinished. You may not see the whole picture, but God is holding the entire map. There are parts of our journey that we don’t see yet, details that God is still drawing out, dreams that haven’t come to life, and promises that have yet to be fulfilled. Where we see blank spaces, He sees potential. Where we see limitations, He sees opportunities.

So, let’s embrace the unknown. Let’s trust that God is holding the pen, drawing in the next part of our journey. One day, you’ll look back and see how each piece came together in ways you could never have imagined. The missing parts will be filled, the map will be complete, and you’ll see the fullness of God’s beautiful work in you. Until then, keep moving forward with hope. Trust that God’s not finished with you, because the best is still to come!

Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
November 8, 2024