Out Our Way: Over the ridge

Matthew 15:14 - Do not listen to them, for they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, will not both fall into the ditch?

Out our way, as you may recall, we often have tourists driving through the area on their way to Glacier National Park. Granted, the Bear Paws are not as spectacular as the Rockies, nor do we have the multi-millionaires from California and Texas building their majestic mansions along the way. So it is not too surprising to hear some remark as they drive past ranches, farms, and through small towns, "There's nothing here." Indeed, you have read how someone came up with a logo for the Hi-Line area saying just that: "There's Nothing Here!" It was meant as a joke, but some suggest it was a way to encourage the city folk to just keep going.

In any case, while I will grant you that the scenery along Highway 2 isn't too exciting, I will point out that "over the ridge" is a different story. Over the ridge are the rolling plains and places like Squaw Butte where the Gros Ventre and Blackfeet women stayed during one of the epic battles between tribes over the buffalo herds that dominated the area. It just pops up just out of the flats. Over the ridge is the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump. Old Fort Assiniboine, the largest military post in the West is over the ridge, as is the famous battleground where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce surrendered. Every year, representatives from the tribe come to this sacred ground to honor the memory of their ancestors, and as you walk the path and read the small plaques, you will find small gifts left ranging from a few coins to an expensive knife or valued gift a warrior would honor. You won't find such places in Glacier National Park or Yellowstone. But you have to go "over the ridge" to find them.

People today, like those tourists on Highway 2, tend to look at the Church and the faith as of no importance. Too dull - too antiquated - and we live in an age dominated by a secular and anti-spiritual culture where we are constantly told "there is nothing there." Lay aside the Bible, if you reject the faith, but pick up a history book. Start with the last century when Marx, Nietzche, Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc. all sought to persuade the gullible that "God is dead" and "There is nothing here!" Look at the results when people believed them. Their disciples still dominate the culture today.

But a few folks are willing to "go over the ridge" and look to see if indeed "there is nothing here." And they are discovering the blind guides that have always led civilizations to self-destruct are still among us and still leading the blind into the pit. Not everyone has the ability or charisma to persuade the masses like Lenin and Hitler to blindly follow them, but we all have the choice to not blindly follow. We all have the chance to go "over the ridge," open our eyes, and see for ourselves.

Be blessed be be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].