Ever feel like you're stuck in the same old monotony of life? You can't seem to be able to escape your troubles and drama? In the film, "The Map of Tiny Perfect Things,” Mark and Margaret find themselves in literal and personal loops. On their journey, they learn secrets to living life well through a map, selflessness, and sacrifice.
First, the film illustrates that living life well requires a map. Margaret and Mark, trapped in their own personal loops, struggle with strained relationships. Together they search for tiny perfect moments to free them from their loop. Finally, Margaret realizes that all the perfect things form a four dimensional map. Through following the map, she lets go of her Mom and finds freedom with Mark. Just as the fourth dimensional cube in the film guides Margaret and Mark out of their loop, so the Bible guides people out of bondage to freedom. Every person starts out "liv[ing] in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest" (NASB, Eph. 4:17b-19). As children of wrath, humanity yearns for satisfaction to fill their desires. Humanity needs a new nature to finally be satisfied. As the cube revealed the way out, the Bible "is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (NASB, Heb. 4:12). The Bible pierces through the cloud of misunderstanding and darkness. It shows people the way to freedom. Freedom is found when a person repents his sin and accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior. As the fourth dimensional cube gives Margaret a glimpse of something more, the Bible is God's Word breaking into our world to show us the path to freedom. As the Psalmist says, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (NASB).
Second, the film shows that a life well lived comes from selflessness. Mark’s relationships break down because of his selfishness. He sees his Dad as a dream breaker and his sister as a nuisance. After blowing up at his father, his sister points out that his Dad really got fired, which has caused a lot of familial issues. Mark’s selfishness then increased the family breakdown. Mark starts taking after his sister by showing interest in his family. He starts asking his Dad about his passions. He goes to his sister's soccer game, encouraging her to finally win. Instead of getting angry over his sister’s practice, he joins her in joy. The theme of selflessness reflects Philippians 2:3-4 which says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (NASB). In order to mature and grow, people need to live in humility and love for others. They need to look beyond themselves and love their neighbor (Mark 12:31).
Third, the film shows that a life well lived comes through sacrifice. Margaret breaks out of her loop when her mother tells her, ”Listen to me, because I am old, and I know things. It's true that we're losing time every day, all the time, until one day it's all gone. But you're gaining it, too. Every second, perfect moments, one after the other, until, by the end, you have your whole life. You have everything. And it costs you everything. But it's worth it. I promise that it's worth it." To live that life, each individual must give up everything like Margaret gave up her mother. Just as Jesus says in Mark 8:34b-36, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?" (NASB). When people give everything for service to Christ, they will find that they truly gain their soul. They will wake up from their restless slumber to true rest in Christ. As Matthew 11:28-30 says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NASB). For humanity to gain their soul, they must give up everything and follow Christ.
"The Map of Tiny Perfect Things" mirrors how to live life well. You need to follow the map of Scripture, live for others, and sacrifice your time in pursuit of Christ. By following King Solomon's command to "fear God and keep His commandments,” you too can start down the path of freedom from the loops in your life.
Nice commentary! Thanks for sending it!