Owning Your Own Lane

Can I start off by saying you and everything about you is uniquely amazing? You are equipped with everything needed to fulfill the assignments God has placed before you to do. There is only one you! And my friend, I’m here to tell you that just being who God created you to be is good enough.

These are words that I find help serve as a reminder to how important it is for me to just be who God created me to be and to only do what God has required of me. With social media and all of the other media outlets, it’s easy to fall prey to comparison and the need to compete.

From my observation, this idea of a saturated market has many influencers, writers, creators, ministry leaders, and business owners overexerting themselves. The need to become relevant has been intensified by feeling like we have to constantly do or produce more to experience growth.

To be clear, I am not saying that we should sit and do nothing. If God has given you a vision, you must put some work in to see it come forth. But what I am saying is, as Christians, we have to remember why we are doing what we are doing in the first place.

More often than not, the drive to work is out of a place of selfish ambition and worldly gain. This is definitely an issue as a believer, being that nothing we do should be out of selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3-4) and we should not seek worldly gain (Colossians 3:2).

However, on other occasions, the drive is a result of simply wanting to share our God-given gifts and talents with as many people as possible. Essentially, that’s what our gifts and talents are for, right? To serve others and draw them closer to Christ.

As in the case of the latter reasoning, we must remain aware of who we are in Christ and what we have been specifically called to do. This can be challenging at times when we see other fellow writers, business owners, ministry leaders etc. doing such amazing things!

But don’t get caught up in the “do more” crowd. Never deviate to doing what others are doing because it works for them. The grace of God only sustains us in the places He sends us. Therefore, do only what you’ve been commissioned to do and that’s it.

Learn to own YOUR lane!

You do this by first being completely clear on what God is calling you to. Then, you have to willingly accept that specific calling. And finally, own that particular area He’s called you to by working diligently in it.

Understand that there is no need to compete. There’s ample room for your gifts and talents. Your lane is important. Your lane is needed and valuable. God has a specific audience or set of customers for YOU to reach.

So be genuinely proud of the accomplishments of others, but never neglect your own accomplishments. Never down play how God is working through your gifts and talents. Never discredit the vision He has for you.

My knack is not in posting daily faith based inspirational quotes on social media. Not even weekly faith based inspirational quotes on social media. And with having a fulltime job, it takes me longer to write and produce content.

Due to the social sites’ algorithm, this all may hinder my chances of people coming across my writings and other content, statistically speaking. Nonetheless, I’m learning to be okay with that.

Transparent moment: Initially, this was a hard pill for me to swallow. I’ve had moments of feeling like I wasn’t doing enough because my reach wasn’t broad enough. I felt like I was somehow letting God down by not being creative enough to post something every single day. Or at least every week!

This resulted in me becoming overwhelmed.

The Holy Spirit allowed me to see that, I was focused on operating in my own strength based on the world’s rule of engagement.

The world’s rule of engagement says, do more and you will achieve increase. God’s principle is to walk in obedience and receive increase according to His perfected purpose.

It is only when we humble ourselves unto Him, that we are then elevated according to His will.

“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” – 1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV)

We get burnt out trying to mimic what everyone’s doing or when following the trends of what’s popular at the time to do, instead of finding beauty in the talents God has given us. Keep in mind that everything that provides entertainment is not fruitful or productive in advancing the kingdom of God.

Me becoming overwhelmed was NOT of God. Becoming overwhelmed was a direct result of doing more than I was graced to do at the time. Mainly due to the fear of not feeling creative enough.

We can appear to be doing the “right” thing but the “right” thing with the wrong motive is still a wrong thing. Remember, God sees our heart.

“All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighted by the Lord.” – Proverbs 16:2 (NKJV)

I came to realize that me not putting out content as often as the next person does not make me less of a writer or content creator.

I eventually came to understand that I don’t want to operate out of a place of fear or lack. I don’t want to operate under the pressure of having to perform for the satisfaction of others.

After all,

“Do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10 (NKJV)

I want to operate under the anointing; under God’s direction and timing, leading and guidance, so that I’m graced for the tasks He’s given me.

Recognize that God is not in the business of shortchanging those who faithfully serve for Him. We don’t have to do more than that in which He has required of us to do to experience His blessings.

Therefore, do only the work God leads you to do and when He leads you to do it. Nothing more and nothing less. As you do your part, believe that God will do the rest.

As long as you are consistently doing what God is giving you to do, that is good enough!

Desire eyes for only what God has for you. Eyes for only what He is doing in and through your life.

Be confident in cheering on the next person by saying, what God is doing in and through their life, is a beautiful thing. And be equally as confident in saying, what He is doing in and through your life, is beautiful as well.