25 Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26 Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Proverbs 4:25-26 NLT
Stay in your lane. I have heard this phrase many times, as I’m sure you have, too. And to be honest, I was always turned off by it. I felt that the meaning implied I was to live a contained life, and dare I venture or explore, disaster would smack me in the face.
In this very transparent conversation among friends, I have learned a new meaning to this phrase. Essentially, it is to run my race (my GOD-given journey) with the tools and gifts He has given me without looking to see what the woman in the lane next to me is running with. To glance over my shoulder is where the temptation to compare my life with hers becomes deadly.
Many (too many) of us are seeing the superficiality of other people’s lives and desperately desiring to have what we think we see in others. But truth of the matter is that what we see has been filtered through the lens of happy smiles and photographs of families on vacation that appear to never bicker or fight. We are fooled by the airbrushed success that appears on someone’s social media reels and we wish for the same boat to come to our dock and pick us up.
Through all the envy (yes, I said it) and jealousy (I did it again) we are losing sight of the incredible gifts and talents that have been planted within us, and snuffing the life out of them before they take root and bloom. We are so far off the grid.
Perhaps it is the moment of reckoning with who we are in Christ, in order to settle the matter of personal value and worth. Our identity in Him is the final word on who we are. Redeemed. Restored. Renewed. Empowered. Courageous. Bold. Strengthened. Gifted. Beloved. Purposed. You can keep adding to your list … I’ve just given you a running start so you can get in your lane and run your race well.
Come listen to this circle of friends as they have this candid conversation about the detriments of the comparison trap. I believe that you’ll see that woman in the mirror with different eyes after this chat.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Better Together TV | TBN | Nona Jones for this.
Titus Two 