God’s will, circumstances, and life choices deeply influence the “lanes” of our lives. Business lanes, family lanes, school lanes, church lanes, lanes, lanes and more lanes. Actually, there are so many lanes, if we are not careful, we can get lost. It is like we didn’t update the maps on our inner “GPS”, we go off in the wrong direction or even worse; have an accident.
Oftentimes, we can be driving down a particular path or lane that seems right for us and out of the corner of our eyes, we see other people whizzing past. Since they are moving seemingly so much faster than us, we take our eyes off of our path and look at them. Hmmm… “look how successful she is, she is living her dream”.
Almost instantly, their lane “has it goin’ on”, and our lane is slow and boring. We start thinking things like: “She has the perfect family; I think I will do what she is doing.” “She is a speaker and writes books, I think I will do that too.”
A dear friend and I both have the same “side business”. Both of us have been very successful and I have loved every minute of it. She has recently decided to kick her business up a notch by incorporating and hiring a staff.
Several times over the past couple of weeks, I have been thinking: “Wow, she is really doing the darn thing! Her business is really excelling! Maybe I should incorporate get contracts and hire a staff too”. I have struggled to drive along in my lane under the speed limit and watch her dust.
In his book: “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, Garth Stein said: “The Car Goes where the Eyes Go“. So true. Watching my friend’s success in her lane has distracted me and put me at risk of trying to merge into her lane and since her lane is already occupied—can you say: side swipe accident!!!
I love the way Lakia Gordon describes what happens when we switch lanes: “Unfortunately, you risk hurting your passengers (family) or your insurance (the money you paid into your own lane, i.e. business, studio, book, etc.) going up–it doesn’t look too pretty for you because you weren’t licensed to be there.”
Almost 23 years ago, my driver’s ed teacher, Mr. Cross, told me: “Stay in your own lane”. I am listening Mr. Cross! I am choosing to be content with where I am and THANKFUL! I am keeping my eyes on my own lane and taking notice of the good things in my lane. I am putting down my glass of HATER-ADE and I am choosing to be HAPPY for my friend.
There may be an opportunity for me to branch out and expand later. In my current life stage, my daughters are “high maintenance” (school, soccer, dance, homework, friend drama) and they need me and I WANT to be there for them. Switching lanes right now is too risky.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 (New Living Translation)
11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. 12 Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.
This post is part of a weekly meme that I participate in called “Pour Your Heart Out”:
And YOU are doing amazing things in your lane! So many people are meeting goals and getting motivated because of what God is doing through you! YOU are FABULOUS!
Christina:)
This is a beautiful post. It's hard to keep steady in our lane when we see the temptation to want what others have. Very thought provoking. You have an awesome lane! You share God's word with all of us almost everyday.
I like that quote about hurting our passengers. So true!
I really needed this! You are an inspiration!
It is hard to remember this, though. I see others' success and want it, too. But, their choices are not what are best for me.
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This was a great post!! I think it's really important that God has unique plans for each of us, and we need to follow his will!