Bumps in Small Town Montana

~By Sharon Czerwien

My family and I had the chance to drive thousands of miles this past August to attend a family reunion. Things went well, and we all enjoyed the opportunity!

For part of the way home, we took a scenic route through small-town Montana. We had NO IDEA what we were getting into!

If you check out the main blog picture, this spot is where one of my kiddos had the unfortunate opportunity to go to the bathroom in what my other child called a Ghost Town.

Hindsight, I do not know if we would make the same “adventurous” decision to go this same route again (though fun memories were made).

Either way, we were thankful for the Montana Department of Transportation signs reaching this scenic route.

Fair and square, we were warned of pending bumps, time and time again on that old state highway leading seemingly to nowhere.

Sure enough, we drove through LOTS of bumps in different construction-coned zones.

Spiritual Bumps

It is no surprise that we figuratively drive through plenty of bumps in life, too! Sickness, stress, hard times, bad bosses, pain, lost opportunities, etc.

Life can be hard!

Thankfully, though—fair and square—we’ve been warned of pending bumps along our highway of life!

Check out what 1 Peter has to say:

…Who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials… (1:5-6).

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you (4:12).

PLUS, I can’t help but think about the massive trial that Jesus willingly went through in order that we could be saved from our sins. Hebrews 12:3 says:

For consider Him [Jesus] who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

(This past blog explains how you can become a child of God. Just scroll towards the bottom.)

What about the bumps???

*Hebrews gives encouragement while we are in our bumps!

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (12:1b-2a).

*James 1:2-4 tells us that trials (those bumps!) can produce endurance and spiritual maturity.

*Romans 8:28-29 encourages us that all things (the bumps, too!) work for our good and help us to become more Christlike in our life.

*Proverbs 3:5-6 helps us remember to trust God through all our life’s events—whether easy or hard.

*Proverbs 4:23 tells us to guard our hearts!

So??? Well, To Wrap Up…

Let’s remember these 3 main things when we’re whizzin’ along life’s road:

1. Bumps will come—we’ve been warned fair and square!

2. Trials can increase our faith (if we keep the proper attitude, right!?)!

3. God has a plan and can be trusted!

Driving On,

~Sharon