Life Lanes

Last night I was driving home from church and I had an epiphany. I had to turn right at the upcoming light, which meant I had to be in the right lane. I got into my lane a few blocks early and found myself stuck behind a car that came to a stop in order to turn a few streets earlier than me. A thought flashed through my mind. “Well, isn’t this great! I could be over there zipping along, but instead I am stuck behind this bozo.” Like many, my patience for traffic dwindles with each passing day. But as soon as this thought took form in my mind, a zap of inspiration struck: I’m supposed to be here for my next step. Sure, this slowdown is inconvenient, but I have to be here in order to get where I want to be next. I have to secure my spot in this lane in order to make it home. 

How often do we have those “lanes” in our lives? Sometimes we need to be in the right spot so that things can take off. Sometimes being in that “right spot” means you have to stick it out when something else might look more appealing. I remember I once had a friend group that wasn’t in my ideal spot. It was falling apart a bit, and I was struggling to make everything work. I stuck it out for a while, and eventually we managed to pull through. Not only did things not fall apart, but they got stronger. Eventually, this friend group became the reason I got the job I currently hold. My life has been changed forever because I stuck it out through the slowdown. 

I think that’s the lesson here: if you want to stick with something, there will be some slower moments. Sometimes the price of dropping your anchor is that you miss out on thrilling moments elsewhere. But, in the long run, staying in the right lane will get you where you need to go. I don’t know about you, but those slow moments, those times when things aren’t moving along as quickly as I would like, they give rise to my insecurity. It’s in those moments that I often wonder if I’m in the right lane at all (hah! See what I did there?) I’m constantly looking for confirmation that I am in the right place, so I can’t weather the storm. 

So what’s the cure? How do you know you’re in the right lane, and how do you know how much storm to weather. I think the answer is in planning. It’s important to understand why you are committing to something, and if that has changed. Maybe you picked a career field because it pays well and has high job security. Pay won’t always start off great, but that can change in time. But you may find that the job security is not what you thought it was. Take time to dialogue with yourself about your reasons. 

The other thing I personally recommend is praying. I get that not everyone is religious, but having the confidence in God’s plan has kept me sane these last few years. It has changed the very nature of who I am. I believe that God will give word when it’s time for me to move. I believe He will open the doors that need opening and shut those that need shutting. This has been a game changer for me and I don’t know where I would be without Him. 

Sometimes you do need to jump ship, but it’s important to do so wisely and responsibly. We can’t see the future and we can’t always tell what might come next. We can guess, but we have to do our best to make our wisest decisions. No man is perfect, but some men will do better than others. 

I pray this has helped you to see the big picture and to take a look at your commitments. I pray you find the discerning to know what you need to commit to, and what needs to be let go of. I pray you might give the King, and His plan, a try. Who knows, you might find that it’s a better way of doing things. You’ll never know until you give it a try.

Until next time

May Peace be your guide

ACTION STEPS

Think about a commitment. Something you want to stick with in the long run. List out your reasons why and hold onto this list. As you feel the slow-down, come back to this list. Evaluate if it’s incomplete, dig into your reasons why and cross them off if things weren’t what you thought they were, or that reason isn’t important anymore. Write about what you’re going through, and pray, asking God if you’re in the right lane. He’ll show you if you ask.