Stay in your lane

I used to say I was a perfectionist. Now I just appreciate the details. What's the difference? Not too many years ago, I would have written each post numerous times because it had to be PERFECT. I probably only would have hit "publish" because there was a coming deadline. 

Now, it's the details I love. I like telling stories that paint a vivid picture. I like creating images that evoke emotion, are thought out, and FIT the words it's trying to describe. I like looking through pictures that I'll potentially use, and determining which one really fits the bill.

That being said, This is my second attempt at "Stay in your lane". Not because it wasn't "perfect". The draft I had orginally set to publish was the draft I was most happy with, and said what I needed to say. But, after being in an arena over the weekend with 13,000 women who LOVE the Lord, speakers who shared the Gospel in the unique way the Spirit lives in them; yeah, I felt pretty strongly that my message changed a little, and I needed to rewrite it. 

I feel like whenever I've heard this term lately- whether social media or real life- it's in a negative way. 

Someone points out some things that aren't perfect; "STAY IN YOUR LANE!" we say.

Someone calls us out for doing something we shouldn't; "STAY IN YOUR LANE!" we bark bitterly.

Someone speaks about their achievements and new things; "stay in your lane..." we tell ourselves sadly.

Truth is, they're all a little right. It's the WHY behind them that's off. 

See, as believers, we SHOULD be holding each other accountable when we're slipping up, or doing things that are pulling us farther from God. We SHOULD point them out- with love and kindness- because we don't want each other to suffer!! We should want the ABUNDANT LIFE  that's promised to us.
When others are speaking about their new houses, clothes, cars, phones, toys, stuff.... it's so easy to know that you should "stay in your lane" and focus on the good and wonderful things in YOUR life, but dang.... that's hard sometimes! 

This past weekend, I grew a lot. I learned a lot of things I was doing RIGHT as far as "staying in my lane", and I saw a lot of areas of opportunity, too. 

We've all ran a race, or seen one run. (say that 5 times fast😵‍💫) So you know that all the lanes are full of people, with the same track, or hurdles, and ONE big finish line. We're competing for a place on the podium. 

Friend, that ain't the race GOD has for us. 

Our race is ONE lane, ONE finish line, ONE podium. That's what your friend's race is. That's what your brother or sister's race is. We're each running our own race, with our own patter of hurdles, obstacles, storms, and smooth stretches. So when we cross OUR finish line, and step onto the only spot on the podium, we won't be watching God come over to the others who "finished first" or just ahead of us. We'll see Him come over with open arms, and we'll get to hear, (This makes me cry because this is going to be the sweetest moment of my life I think) "well done, Good and Faithful one!" 

It's so easy to say "we all have our own race to run". Remembering that..... not so much. 

We still look at the other races on the other tracks. Sometimes those races are like, SUPER far away. We have to slow down, squint, tilt our heads, refocus our eyes depending where the sun is at. We're checking to see if they're at the "final stretch" before we are, or if their race is easier, or harder than ours. 

Did you catch that? When we're looking at the races the others run, WE. SLOW. DOWN. We're still on our race, but we're slowing the progress God wants because we're COMPARING ours to someone else's. 

Think for a minute, if instead of slowing down to see where others are compared to you, you just channeled that lion in your lungs to cheer for the people running within earshot. You prayed for the runners out of ear shot. You helped the fallen who weren't too far away from God's path for you, just to hop right back in, running closer to Him. 

What would staying in your lane look like if your eyes were fixed on Him, and every step was filled with obedience; no matter what. 

I don't know about you, but I LOVE a challenge. Ask my friends, they will tell you to be careful how close you get to me because I LOVE TO CHALLENGE OUR THINKING🤗 Well recently, I was challenged to think about the calling GOD has for me, not the ones I THINK God has for me. Immediately something came to mind- just like she said it would. Thankfully she went a step further to say, "when the one you think God has for you comes to mind, keep praying to find what He actually has." I prayed a little longer, and cried a LOT when the walls came down, my heart softened, and God revealed to me what my REAL calling is. 

I see my race differently. I see now how I can better run MY race, truly ministering to those around me, while creating disciples from afar. So today, I challenge you to close your eyes, and pray. Pray with God and ask Him to reveal what your calling, or purpose really is. Even if it's a season of purpose. Our plans can be cool, but they aren't nearly as cool as His plan for you.

You're the ONE He left the 99 for. Run your race with eyes on Him.