Stay in your lane!

Have you ever been reading/listening to something and a statement just smacks you right in the face?!

This happens to me a lot. I like to think that God is speaking to me when this happens!

I was reading The Resolution for Women last night when I felt God speaking to my heart. First, I'll give you a little background on the book.

The Resolution for Women was inspired by the movie Courageous. If you haven't seen this movie yet, WHAT are you waiting for!? Courageous was created by the same team that created Fireproof, Sherwood Pictures Ministry. I LOVE that this ministry has brought us 2 major films with such powerful Christ centered messages. Obviously they have a smaller budget than other popular production companies, like Universal, so there's not a lot of glitz and glamour but their purpose and message stand true to who they are and THAT is something to be respected! The movie focuses on the role of men, specifically fathers, in our society. It is truly an inspirational film and definitely an eye opener for men as well as women!

So back to the book! I was reading a chapter that focuses on God's specific plan for our lives and the importance of not comparing ourselves to others. Uh-Oh....already a huge soft spot for me! I would say that one of my largest struggles is comparing myself to others. If my mind projected my thoughts like a teleprompter (which, wouldn't that be cool?!), on any given day, you would probably see about a thousand of these running across there:

"I wish I had hair like so and so."
"Whhyyy can't I dance as well as that 10 year old girl on Dance Mom's?"
"Why don't I have a big fancy job like so and so."
"My life doesn't seem as exciting as so and so."

Obviously, so as not to make things awkward for any potential readers out there, I've replaced actual names with "so and so". If your name happens to be So and So, I totally want to be just like you.

Moving along....I'm already intrigued by the topic and then I come across this gem:

"If you spend all your time looking at the runner behind you or focusing on the one ahead of you, wishing you had their skills and talents, your lane will go unattended." 

Ohhh SNAP! Let's just read that again.

Seriously, read it again. Absorb it.

I don't want to leave my lane unattended! I want to be in my lane! Not running of course. I don't run. But briskly walking, maybe. Rollerblading, perhaps!

The point is, I WANT to lead exactly the life God has planned out for me, trials and all. What better life could I ask for than one perfectly designed by our Creator, who also designed the stars and intricate flowers, the human body and all the miraculous things of this world?

So, I get frustrated. I get annoyed. I get so unbelievably sad sometimes because I feel like I have all of these desires and talent and passion and I just DON'T know what to do with them!

But, I'm in prayer about the journey. I'm talking to God about His plans for me. As long as I stay in my lane and focus on the race, not the other runners (or walkers or rollerbladers), things will be fine. Better than fine, I dare say fabulous!

"...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."   - Hebrews 12: 1-2

- Brit