Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1b-2a  CSB

If life is a race, how are you doing? If you are alive, you are still somewhere on the racetrack heading toward the finish line.

What lane are you running in? Sometimes I do not like my lane. I really would like to run in her lane. I like her lane better. Why can’t I just run her race?

Have you ever felt that way too?

God planned our lives, unique to us, designed exactly for who He created us to be, before we were even born. Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began (Psalm 139:16).

He brought us into the world at the time in history that was part of that plan, into the geographic location, and into the family we are in. He shaped us with the interests, personality, likes, dislikes, weaknesses, and strengths He wanted us to have to run the race He set before us.

In Nicki Koziarz’s Bible study, Rachel and Leah, she shared a statement she made to her relay-running daughter that I’ve never forgotten. “Run hard, stay in your lane, and pass the baton.”

The Lord didn’t create us to run someone else’s race, or a smaller race, or a bigger race. He chose us to run, not really our race, but His race, and to run it His way. When He moves us from one assignment to another, then we get to hand off the baton. Not until then. So run your race, not hers, as you keep your eyes on Jesus!

Lord, sometimes my lane is just too difficult, other times too mundane. But if this is the lane you created me to run in, help me look to you every day as my source of focus, endurance, direction, and strength.

Chris Adams