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Life is a journey, and we’re on it! Each of us is in a race that God has placed before us, and no two are alike. Right this very moment, you’re in one of three lanes: 1# You’re waiting for a specific prayer request to come to fruition in your life; 2# You’re transitioning to the next level of spiritual growth and development; or #3 You’re progressing upward and forward, towards a target that only God knows and has destined specifically for you. Either one of these lanes is tremendous, and as long as you can identify the one you’re on, you’re golden, but if you’re having trouble determining your lane, I’m sure you can agree that this will impede your momentum in the race.
LANE #1
In Hebrews 12:1 The Message (MSG), God teaches us through the Apostle Paul about the discipline it takes to stay the course to the finish line. This passage tells us, “Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.” If you’ve been waiting on the manifestation of a blessing that you’ve been praying to Heavenly Father about for a while, then you’re in wait mode, LANE #1. Hebrews 12:1 happens to be incredibly pertinent to your lane.
Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than his brother Cain. Enoch was translated into heaven without seeing death because he pleased God. Noah prepared the ark by faith, and Abraham obeyed God and had a fully persuaded faith. These are some of the pioneers that have blazed the way for us. Staying in our lane means that we follow the examples of those who did the same thing and won the race. Things like presenting our best to God and not shortchanging Him through attitudes of selfishness, stinginess, or neglect; pleasing Him through our allegiance to obedience, and being fully-persuaded that He is willing and able to bless us; these will help to build momentum and get us to the finish line.
Proverbs 5:6(NIV) speaks of a woman that is unstable, doesn’t recognize the race, and hasn’t a clue about the lane she’s in. It tells us, “She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.” To get to the finish line at God’s appointed time, there must be a connection between His wisdom and our understanding. This is critical if we’re to run with endurance. Too many get discouraged and quit when they are so close to winning. Never quit, and don’t let a refusal to release sins that have latched on and slowed your momentum be your downfall.
LANE #2
If you’re in a place where drama, mishaps, and missteps are happening at a rate that doesn’t allow you to catch your breath; if you feel like you take one step forward and two steps back; if folks are coming for you, and you didn’t send for them, know that you’re in LANE #2. Something wonderful is about to break for you, and the enemy is trying his best to keep you separated from it.
Although Hebrews 12:2 The Message (MSG) applies to all of us, it is particularly important for those in this lane. It tells us, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”
If you’re in this lane, it is paramount that you recognize the tactic of the enemy to steal your focus. The plot is to bombard you with distractions so that you don’t keep your eyes planted on Jesus Christ. Keeping your eyes on Christ means that you’re alert to what the Holy Spirit is working on within you. He’s bringing things to your attention, addressing shortcomings that are slowing you down, and teaching you how to increase in grace, compassion, generosity, gratitude, patience, and love. Never get it twisted, something wonderful is in store for you, but to whom much is given, much is required. You’ve gotta get crazy good at pushing through the distractions and keeping your eminent victory in Christ in full view.
LANE #3
Many sisters are feeling very uncomfortable. Nothing feels familiar anymore and none of the things we used to count on seem as solid as they once did. We know there’s a piece of the puzzle that’s missing, and we keep looking for someone or something to fit. The message that God is sending loud and clear is that we, ourselves, are the missing piece. We keep looking outside the box for what is already contained within it through Jesus Christ.
We are in LANE #3 because we feel the magnetic pull of greatness. We know that we’re destined for something phenomenal, but we’re looking for an encounter or experience to transpire externally, when the real shebang is destined to explode internally first. It’s a new sensation—a new place, and human nature tells us to cling to the familiar. So, we keep going back to the same practices and fixes that got us over the humps in the past. It’s not that those won’t work anymore; they’re just not enough to give us the thrust we need. We’re destined by God to move to a level that is beyond anything we’ve encountered. This calls us to seek greater knowledge of His Word, and to be submissive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit that indwells us, because he’s leading us deeper into our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
No matter the lane, the finish line that God has slated for us will leave us spellbound by His goodness. To get there, all of us will need to step outside our comfort zones to receive fresh revelation and a shot of increased Christ energy in our hearts and minds. Hebrews 12:3 The Message (MSG) says it best, “When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” We need to keep the accomplishment of Jesus Christ in the forefront of our minds and hearts, and remember at all times that we’ve got someplace to be, and he is helping us to get to the finish line so that we can receive the prize! ■
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
“You’re Almost to the Finish Line!” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2017. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
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