I’ve just found Chelsea’s blog recently, but I’m a big fan of her heart that women would find joy, contentment, and creativity in their everyday lives. Make sure to pop over to her blog, Heart Natured, to get to know her better!
This is one of those “broken record” lessons for me. Do you have those? You know, the lessons or convictions that seem to cycle around more than once in a given life season?
I ran track in high school and a little in college, and God used it to teach me a good bit. I learned how to discipline myself, how to fight through discomfort, how to be a good teammate, how to find peace in Him when I was nervous, but also how to run well in my own lane.
In the world today, and especially as a female, I have to be proactive against comparing myself to others. If I’m lazy about it, I find myself digging a deep hole without even realizing it. I’ve started asking God to create in me a habit of attentiveness to moments my brainless emotions begin playing the comparison game. It is difficult sometimes, but I believe it’s a worthy battle.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I oftentimes have a running inner dialogue going on. I confess it’s often encouraging, and sometimes sassy. When it comes to running in my own lane (on a good day), it often sounds like this:
Self, you are not naturally gifted in that way. Stop feeling guilty about it.
Quit judging yourself so intensely, girlfriend! Give a little grace.
Everyone is a work in progress, sister, you’re not expected to do things as she is doing them.
Can anyone relate?
Someone challenged me recently, “run in your own lane,” and I began to honestly think about what it practically looks like for me to do that.
- Running in my own lane means I take one step at a time, say Yes to God, and trust Him fully as He directs and orchestrates.
- Running in my own lane means I cherish and make count the opportunities that come to me. Not everyone is the same (praise Him), so why spend energy copying another’s situation, and risk missing the wonder + grace of the moment in front of me?
- Running in my own lane means I honor (not endure or tolerate or take for granted) my quirks, my passions, my life, and my tribe.
- Running in my own lane helps me truly celebrate with others in their successes and extend genuine compassion/sympathy in their disappointments.
- Running in my own lane means I treasure my particular, beautiful, ridiculous DNA, thank the Lord daily for rescuing me, and be a bright light during my days on earth.
I would make a terrible you, and you would make a terrible me! God designed us so creatively and specifically, with different plans and passions and goals, and that’s a wonderful thing! And it’s kind of freeing, if you asking me, the fact that I am not expected to do exactly what she’s doing, and I’m not expected to know all of the facts that he knows, etc. Right? Freedom.
And isn’t is fascinating that God thinks about us each individually. Jeremiah 29:11, a popular verse, speaks about God thinking thoughts toward me. These aren’t generic, universal thoughts for the whole planet, but for me specifically.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left.” Proverbs 4:25-27
Running in my own lane helps me focus on the step in front of me, and gives my life the room to make Jesus known, instead of striving for my absence to be felt. Keeping my eyes on Jesus alone, instead of those on either side of me, will bring far more joy and peace and freedom to my life. Which, if I may be so bold, is what I think we all truly desire.
What do you think? What does ‘run in your own lane’ mean to you?
