Do YOU have any reoccurring dreams? Say, for example, the one about camping on the moon (always super fun!) but after getting into your sleeping bag you start sliding off the moon into oblivion (not super fun)… No? You haven’t had that one? Hmm, weird. I have – like EIGHT times!
Well, what about the one where you’re driving on a freeway at dangerously high speeds in a huge city with other freeways weaving figure eights around you – uncertain as to how or why you’re in THIS city but definitely sure you lack the driving skills to navigate safely out… No? Not that one either? Really, come on people. Have you NO imagination??? What’s wrong with you! Or perhaps the problem is me… perhaps.
This past month I actually lived out one of my reoccurring nightmares. No, NOT the moon dream, but I’m sure that’s the one you thought I was referring to. Sorry, no. It was the freeway one. I literally drove right into this crazy city I’ve dreamed about so many times – Tampa, Florida. Yes, I know… it’s not the cRAzIEst, biggest city in the world but for this driving-impaired, small town girl it was large enough to usher in a full-on panic attack.
I felt like Dory reciting, “Just keep driving, just keep driving…” Actually, it was more like “Just keep BREATHING, just keep breathing…”
I had precious cargo in the back seat (little humans) which only heightened my sense of responsibility, and fears.
Tears began to swell. “No,” I told myself, “I don’t have time for this. Not now anyways.”
God help me.
That was my whisper. That was my plea.
I shifted my eyes to observe the skyscrapers of downtown. Eeeks! – Did NOT help my anxiety…
I shifted my eyes another direction, observing dozens of cars simultaneously racing over, under, and beside me at 75 mph. Ahhhggg!… also NOT good…
God HELP me!
And that’s when I heard the instruction I needed:
Just keep your eyes on your own lane. Listen and follow the directions.”
No, Siri didn’t tell me this. Siri told me to take the next exit – which was also really good advice.
The voice I heard came not from my phone but, rather, from the still small voice of my Heavenly Father. He knows I need a lot of help – especially in driving.
“Keep your eyes on your own lane. Listen and follow the directions.”
I knew right then that those words were bigger than THIS moment of panic. There was a metaphor tucked in there somewhere but this was not the time or place for pondering life parallels.
Now I’m home – yes, I made it! Now I can ponder…
In life we all get caught in moments of feeling panicked by life racing by us. People coming and going, doing and living. Roads weaving up and over, down and under, with no beginning or end in sight. We look out and see high-rise buildings that scream SUCCESS and wonder who are those people and what road do I take to get there?
In the craziness of life, we often doubt ourselves.
Am I on the right road?
Do I even know where I’m going?
Should I be headed that way?
What’s over there?
In confusing situations we sometimes lose confidence and start looking at others.
Where are THEY going?
Is their destination BETTER than mine?
They’re going faster than me.
Their vehicle is better than mine.
What?! They’re driving AND eating!
And after making our comparisons we draw our conclusions…
I’ll never be like THEM.
I’ll never make it THERE.
I’m just… ME.
Where’s the exit?
It’s true. Some drive faster and arrive sooner. Some drive fancier and appear happier. Some are headed to sky-scrapers and others to slums. Heck, some people can talk on the phone, put on lipstick, sing and eat a salad all while navigating the roads with ease and confidence. Take heart, those people stink at other things (I’m sure of it).
“Just keep your eyes on your own lane.”
“Listen and follow the directions.”
I think turn-by-turn navigation systems, like Google Maps, were invented for directionally-impaired, map-illiterates like me. On that fateful Tampa day Siri gave me step-by-step instructions navigating me to my destination. As long as I listened and followed her directions I would end up where I wanted to be.
The Lord gives something even better. He not only gives us directions to Heaven but also gives us instructions for LIFE. Some directions are general and apply to everyone; in the same way general traffic rules help everyone avoid accidents. But some directions are more personal and specific: “stay in the right lane to take exit 212”, for instance. Jesus encourages believers with this, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). When we live in fellowship with Christ we will know the voice of the Lord in the same way sheep know the voice of their shepherd. If we listen and follow His directions we will arrive at the desired destination.
Life is full of lanes and destinations, drivers and vehicles. We need not panic, nor give into road rage. Instead let us find help in the words of Isaiah:
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Isaiah 30:21
Wow – the voice of our Heavenly Father whispering specific instructions, “This is the way you should go…”. Now that’s even better than Google Maps! So, fellow drivers, just remember “Keep your eyes on your own lane. Listen and follow HIS directions.” And might I add, enjoy the ride and be nice to the people riding with you 🙂
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Niki Schemanski is a wife and homeschooling mother of three children. A love of singing led her into an early career of performing and public speaking throughout Alaska and in various parts of the nation beginning at eight years old. After college, she spent more than a decade on staff as Worship Pastor at New Life Assembly of God in Kenai, Alaska. Niki’s desire is to “taste and see that the Lord is good” in every season and circumstance. That passion is what fuels her writing, singing, and teaching. She and her family reside in Durango, Colorado.
Beautiful! How quickly and easily we compare our lane to others'….GUILTY! Thank you for a beautiful reminder to keep my eyes on the One who designed both me and my lane.
Ok are you in my head and heart?? lol! I am totally guilty of being a "another lane watcher" I'm an observer but maybe to my detriment 🙂 It's a blessing that you were able to make this parallel and analogy….very fitting for where I'm at! And I too freaked out about "big City driving" while having to drive my kids in San Francisco for a whole week while hubby worked. I was a road prayer warrior, sweaty palms, holding "10 and 2" as if my hands were super glued to the wheel, praising God every time we made it back to the hotel safely and praising Him that I don't have to live in a big city driving like that all the time! All the while trying not to let my kids see my panic and lack of confidence…lol!
Ha ha, no I'm just in my OWN HEAD, which apparently is quite similar to yours! Keep driving in your own lane dear friend ~ it's a good one and only the Lord knows where it will take you.