Bumps in the road

First, my wife approved of this article.

We attend church in Logan, and typical of many happy couples, I drive while my wife applies her makeup. Probably everyone traveling regularly between Tucumcari and Logan on U.S. 54 knows about the perpetual bumpy spot. I learned early in our marriage that to have fewer hiccups in the harmony, it’s my job to warn my wife about upcoming bumps so whatever makeup she’s applying goes where she wants it. The eyeliner pencil poke in her eye was more traumatic for me than her. Hence, when I noticed there’s a single slight dip before that roughest part, I began using that as a warning sign and announcing, “Bumps approaching.” Then, realizing that, since bumps don’t move, rather, we approach them, I reversed the words to, “Approaching bumps.”

Sin is like that: The opportunities are there and we’re predisposed to sin based on our desires, but we don’t sin until we approach and act on those disadvantageous opportunities, which everybody does (James 1:13-15; Romans 3:23). As Christians trying to stay on God’s smooth, righteous path, there are many enticing side roads that become bumpy and increasingly treacherous eventually dead-ending at a cliff over a bottomless pit (Isaiah 38:17).

While it’s always possible to turn back, it takes God’s help, which he’s waiting to gladly provide even before we go off-road (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 7:7-25). While returning is much easier sooner than later, God lets us hit rock bottom, if necessary, to bring us to our senses (Luke 15:11-32).

Additionally, while bumpy side roads initially seem smooth, broad and heavily traveled, they eventually seem to become excluded, making us feel like a lonely traveler with one, still, small voice encouraging us to backtrack and a more forceful voice accusing us of forsaking God and encouraging us to proceed hopelessly (Matthew 7:13-14; Revelation 2:8-11; 12:10-12). God’s Holy Spirit dwells in all his children and warns us through his word about Satan’s schemes even before we begin to go off-road (Acts 2:38-39; Galatians 3:26-29; 4:6-7; Psalm 19:7-11; Hebrews 3:6-11; 2 Corinthians 2:11).

Nonetheless, as God’s children there’s always hope as long as we have the breath to seek forgiveness and help turning back, for which we should be thankful (1 John 1:5-9; Proverbs 11:5-8; 4:26-27; Psalm 30:1-3). That prayer for Christians puts us immediately back on the righteous road, though bumps left by our side-road misadventures may still shake us up occasionally because sin is most traumatic for the offender.

Also, no matter how many times we take the side roads, no matter what sin we’ve committed, as long as we turn back to God, he’ll forgive and keep us cleansed and in fellowship with him (Matthew 18:21-22; Exodus 34:5-7; 2 Chronicles 7:14-15; Psalm 103:1-5; 130:1-4). As long as we make that progress, we’ll reach our heavenward goal of eternal salvation, which we’re approaching more and more with each step of the way (Philippians 3:7-16; Romans 13:11-13).

Are you on your way to heaven (2 Peter 1:3-11; Psalm 37:23-24; I Corinthians 1:8-9)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].