A traveler stopped at an Inn & Playhouse in Italy, and had an opportunity to observe some play rehearsals while he was there.

As he observed the men on stage, he noted that these were common men (one or two may have even been marginally drunk), and none of them seemed to be affected by, or understand the story behind the play they were acting out. There was no emotion in their voices as they sang or moved.

The traveler wondered why the players couldn't perceive the motivation of the story they were reenacting, but he himself had never heard the story before – he wished he knew!

As the traveler went to his room that night, he found a broken figurine of a horse rider who held the reigns to his white horse in one hand, and with the other hand, held a silver platter with four wine glasses filled with wine. The small statue was broken in several pieces.

The traveler determined to repair the figurine. As he glued the final piece together, the rider in the figurine began to speak with a gentle voice…

"My name is Tomorroon. Would you like to understand the story behind the play you have been watching?"

The traveler answered that he would like to know the story. He wished he could explain it to those rehearsing the play, so they could perform it well.

So Tomorroon told the traveler that the play was a story of the great love Tomorroon had for his son, and that despite so many attempts to demonstrate his love for his son, the son didn't grasp how patient and deep his father's love was. The son rejected the overtures of love from his father.

The traveler realized that this play was really a tragedy. And as he listened to Tommoroon's depth of feeling about his son, the traveler began to weep – he had never known such a depth of love, such as this father, Tomorroon, had for his son.

Now, while this isn't the end of the story, it's all Tomorroon had to share with the traveler. And we can only guess that the traveler went out to the players and shared the wonderful tragic story of Tomorroon's love for his son, rejected despite so many efforts on Tomorroon's part.

As you think about this story, you may consider that Tomorroon is much like Jesus, and Tomorroon's son is like the people of this world. And the common men of the play may represent today's church.

And what of the broken figurine?

Philippians 2:12 "Therefore, my dear friends, …work out [assemble] your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."