Ever feel like you’re juggling flaming torches, and every time you turn around, another one is tossed into your hands? It’s that overwhelming sensation where you want to excel at one thing, but life keeps hurling distractions your way, each ready to ignite a new crisis. This feeling of being overwhelmed usually triggers one of two reactions: either we’re racing around trying to extinguish every fire, or we’re frozen, paralyzed like a deer in headlights. Can you relate?
So, how do we handle this?
What does it mean to “stay in your lane”? Picture swimmers in a race, commuters on a highway, or even bowling. When someone tells you to stay in your lane, what do they really mean? How do those words make you feel? Suppressed, or empowered?
Hebrews 12:1-2 offers insight:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and 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.”
What if “staying in your lane” wasn’t a restriction but a powerful guideline to help us focus and excel in our given tasks?
In Luke 10:1-37, Jesus exemplifies staying in one’s lane. He’s deeply involved in ministry, appointing 72 disciples to prepare towns for His arrival (vv. 1-20). He prays (vv. 21-22), counsels His disciples (vv. 23-24), debates Scripture with a lawyer (vv. 25-28), and tells the parable of the Good Samaritan (vv. 29-37) to illustrate love for one’s neighbor.
Jesus knew His limits and didn’t try to do everything Himself. He sent out disciples, prayed for strength, and taught others to love their neighbors personally. After His disciples’ mission, He found rest with friends Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (v. 38). He understood that focusing on His specific mission was crucial.
We, too, have areas we can influence: education, careers, family, health, and our attitudes. But some things, like the weather, the economy, or other people’s actions, are beyond our control. The key to contentment is focusing on what we can influence and not being consumed by what we can’t.
In Matthew 6:25, Jesus says, “Do not be anxious about your life.” Worrying can’t add a single hour to our lives (v. 27) or change tomorrow (v. 34). We are not the ones keeping the world spinning (Hebrews 1:3). Instead, we should focus on what we can control.
Work diligently, not just to provide for yourself, but to glorify God, trusting Him to meet your needs. Learn from the birds and flowers about God’s providence (Matthew 6:26, 28-30). Trust God to keep a roof over your head and provide for your daily needs. This is what it means to “stay in your lane.”
Jesus taught His disciples to travel light (Luke 10:4), urging them to focus on their ministry and trust God for their needs. He advised against overextending themselves, emphasizing the importance of staying in their lane.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Samaritan didn’t start a rescue mission or protest religious institutions. He cared for one wounded man he encountered. By staying in his lane, he effectively ministered to that individual.
We’re not called to save the entire world but to love our neighbors and care for those around us. Taking on more than we can handle leads to burnout. Stay in your lane, and you’ll minister more effectively.
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China during the Boxer Rebellion, exemplified this. Amidst the chaos, he found peace in singing his favorite hymn: “Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what you are; I am finding out the greatness of your loving heart.”
What are your biggest worries? Are they things you can control? Don’t let life’s cares choke out God’s Word from your heart. Stay in your lane, and trust God to handle the rest.
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