Keep Your Pace
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)
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I was in the slow lane at 5:30 a.m. on my way to the gym. On this particular morning, the left lane felt like they were traveling 100 MPH. I was in no hurry to get to the gym, so staying in my lane was easy until out of nowhere a truck quickly approached me from behind.
It swerved around me and sped ahead, then moved back into my lane, and then sped around of a few more cars, moving in and out of our lane. Instinctively I felt like I to wanted to catch up or move over to the fast lane and pass! (Have I mentioned I’m a bit competitive?)
Instantly I felt the Lord whisper, stay in your lane and keep your pace. I responded in my head, but I want to go as fast as everyone else. I don’t want to be left behind.
As I took my exit, there was that truck just two cars ahead of me sitting at the light. The Lord whispered, see everyone headed where you’re going eventually arrives at the destination regardless of how fast they go.
Oh, friend, this conversation between God and me had nothing to do with cars, and everything to do with being content and trusting the process.
Sometimes we feel like we’re living in the slow lane and everyone is either passing us by in the fast lane or weaving in and out of our lane and advancing faster than we are. But that morning the word of the Lord was so impacting.
He clearly spoke if we move into the fast lane and attempt to follow, we will end up somewhere we were never called to be. And if we try to keep up with those in our lane who are moving ahead faster, it’s just wasting unnecessary energy because we’ll all end up there eventually.
John Ortberg, in the book Soul Keeping, says “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” I think for the first time ever I’m beginning to understand the power in this. It’s needless to rush or try and keep up with those on their journey especially when ours is so perfectly designed for us.
God has set us in our lane, at a pace we can handle, going in the direction He has ordained. When we make peace with this lane and the pace, it releases a confidence to run our race well, and in a freedom, I can’t quite yet explain. But what I can share is it leaves confidence in my knower that we will arrive at our destination right on time, and not a minute late or a second early.
Your friend in faith,
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