“Whose Lane Are You In?”

“Stay in your lane.”

I heard it loud and clear – not with an audible voice – with an inner voice.

In the past, I had associated this four-word phrase with track and field running athletes. My youngest child of three was a track star (you can see the twinkle in my eye as I say that). I would travel locally to 98% of his events (the other two percent were due to work demands). Nonetheless, my son was an extraordinary sprinter and an amazing leader among his peers. This landed him with the responsibility of “Captain” during his senior year of high school.

This incredible opportunity of being a “track mom” came with all the bells and whistles: packing and dragging the coveted mini ice chest filled with instant grab and go snacks, wearing the infamous multi-layer mom attire (when you are in a stadium from sunrise to nearly midnight the temperatures fluctuate radically) and having the privilege to run alongside the chain-linked fence hollering at the top of your lungs as your child whizzes in front of your eyes. I needed no bullhorn nor microphone – it’s a gift of volume that I discovered as a high school cheerleader back in my day.

When my son would train, he would share some of the tips his track coach would teach the team. “Staying in your lane keeps you safe and focused and increases your efficiency.” There’s a lot packed in there.

If you zig-zag your steps, whether you’re running, jogging, fast walking or casually strolling, you’re actually losing time. Studies have proven that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Essentially speaking, remaining on the “straight and narrow” works more in your favor.

“Enter through the narrow gate. The gate is wide and the road is wide that leads to hell, and many people enter through that gate. ¹⁴ But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to true life. Only a few people find that road. Matthew 7:13-14 NCV

Taking those out of place steps can land us in a heap of trouble. For the runner, it endangers our footing by entering into another person’s space resulting in tripping hazards or collisions with a pack of runners coming up behind us. In a competitive race, runners are even disqualified if they run into or crossover into another runner’s lane. The risk is great if you run out of your lane.

Sweet Friend, whose lane are you running in?

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NLT

Are you driven to achieve your goals and dreams at the expense of sacrificing what truly matters most? Have you tripped along the way to get there, overlooking the possibility that just maybe GOD intended for the delay so that you would pause long enough to get back on track?

Perhaps you’re trying to run someone else’s race because you believe with your whole heart that she’s just doing it all wrong, and you’ve deliberately (yes, it’s a choice) landed into her lane with your marching orders – for her. That’s not our job.

Or could you be trying to run the race that looks appealing and inviting because it is drawing attention and applause – and you’re seems dull and boring? How’s that going for you?

It’s okay to say you’re not okay – with the way things are going right now. It’s what you do with that revelation that paves the way for your progress – or lack thereof. Have you even taken the time to see where your feet are hitting the ground? Some of the mud on your shoes may be telling a story you didn’t realize was speaking without you uttering a word. Have your ankles twisted out of alignment or are your knees feeling sore due to some unnecessary weaving in and out of your intended path lane?

Prayer can get you back on track. Praying people can help you stay there. Jesus can help you see that there’s more to the journey than what you had ever hoped for and will run the course with you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

It’s time to look closely at the lane you’re in, Sister. And while you’re there, be sure to tie your shoes. Life is full of potholes and cracks along the way. Let’s not lose our shoes in the process. Those feet were meant to walk in faith and stand firm in righteousness.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary