Stay In Your Lane

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV): Therefore, since such a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Everybody is running a race; your own personal walks or journey with Christ. It is so easy to compare where we are in our personal journeys to others and end up frustrated and feeling that we are behind. I’ve heard this said many times; do not compare your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 10. That statement is so true because doing that, is a recipe for disaster. A lot of us even while knowing this, we get caught up and comparing our lives to other people will only bring frustration and pressure. Know that you have your own process and your own pace that is specifically tailored to you. When you step out of your lane because of pressure, or frustration, you run the risk of confronting things too early. Things that you probably supposed to be dealing with in later on in the race, you end up facing because you stepped out of your lane and entered someone's else's because you felt like you were either going too slow or not growing fast enough.

Your process is important at every step of your race, because it prepares you for the next step or next level that you are to face. When you skip steps your next level is harder because you didn’t get the proper training. I believe this is why the bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT): “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” The temptation here is your desire to abort your process before its time, and the temptation to compare constantly and obsess over other people’s success.  Seeing others walking in their purpose and you are frustrated because you can’t pinpoint where you are in yours. God sees our frustrations and if you seek Him He’ll give you endurance. God won't give us more than we can bear and He always meets us where we are. A lot of times when we step out of our race and try to run someone else's and God allows something to sit us out. Because of His grace towards us, He will meet us there and pace us so we can get back on track. Do not allow the pressure from others to make you feel like you are behind in your walk with God. Trust God, trust the process, and remain in His presence so that He can instruct and guide you so you are not moved by pressure. I learned this the hard way and recently allowed pressure to run me out of a place where God placed me because I was getting impatient. Pride, pressure, and frustration made me abort the process before I could learn what God had me there to learn.

God knows us more than we know ourselves, and that is the reason why different obstacles affect each and every one of us differently. The level of your faith also plays a big part. Don't push past your process, but allow God to grow you at the pace tailored to you. This does not mean you are being complacent, lazy, or lack ambition, What it means is that you understand that you are tailor-made by God and that you are allowing Him to lead. The amazing part is allowing God to structure your growth process because He knows exactly when to amp up the speed. God specializes in acceleration. I know from experience that He sends people and creates situations that will accelerate your growth and propel you into the next season if need be.  You don’t ever have to worry about the wasted time when you are in God’s will and being led by the Holy Spirit. I remember getting so frustrated as a rededicated believer and telling God I feel like a rookie all the time. I was so annoyed and would even cry in prayer because I wanted to grow faster and learn. I was in my car after Friday night service one night on the verge of tears and heard in my spirit, my pace not yours. It startled me but I knew what God was saying. I needed to submit myself to His leading and let Him grow me. He knows what I can handle.  You have to be led by the Spirit in your walk with God. Sometimes, if God is trying to accelerate growth and you are resisting it that can also bring frustration because some of us get complacent but because we serve a gracious God who will meet us in our lack and frustrations. He can send us revelation and help us to move forward. Intimacy allows you like king David to allow God into your different emotions and frustrations when you are honest with him.

To avoid frustration in your growth process, you have to also understand your learning style. Usually, people tend to understand their learning styles when it comes to education but do not apply them at all when it comes to their bible studying time. A perfect example is learning and studying the word. Why should the strategies be different, when you are still learning?  I believe God understands our learning styles, which is why He speaks to everyone differently. If you are having a hard time studying the word in your personal time with God, use strategies that are specific to your learning style and ask the father to help you learn and read His word. There are apps, YouTube, journals, picture bibles, so much to help learn the word. Your church does not have to tailor to your specific learning styles but you can take notes and in your personal study to allow yourself to learn the way you learn best. It's really important that you read and learn the word of God it’s a major key when it comes to your growth and getting to know Him. I experienced a lot of obstacles myself trying to study God's word in my quiet time. Prayer definitely helped me because as I prayed for God to grow my desire to read the word, He did, but I also started understanding how I learn. Music is one my favorite ways to connect with God and listening to music that recites scripture, will help with memorizing God’s word and promises.

I pray this helped you in some way to not get frustrated in your journey but to allow God to lead you. Most importantly for you to focus on your personal and process and not get caught up comparing yourselves or where you are in your journey to other people. Whether it is spiritual growth or life in general, submit the process into God’s hands.

Let’s Pray:

Father help us to submit and trust and to allow ourselves to be led by You and not our frustrations. Please help us to endure so we don’t abort the process. Lord please help us to be raw and completely honest in our prayers so that we can give you the clearance to take control. We want to be faithful to this process but we need you in every step. Remind us to seek You in our frustrations so that we are not pressured to quit and step outside of Your will. Give us the desire to listen and obey especially when pride makes us feel like we know what’s best. Lord help us to remember that you are working in us even if we cant see it. In Jesus's name Amen!

I love you but Jesus loves you more :-)