Stay in Your Lane

• Bible text reference: John 21:20-21

• You can find Pastor Marcus's sermon on the Knoxville 1st Seventh Day Adventist website and YouTube channel for context to this post

For those of you who know me, I am all about the experience. I do not long term plan well, if at all. I skip over the fine details of things and when I am in the moment I relish in it. I often see myself as a big picture person as I know the direction in which I am going but particularly more into driving the road then carrying about which road gets me there fastest.

As an adolescent I wanted to be a leader. I wanted position after position. I do not believe it was authority that I was after; power was not the end result for me. I wanted respect from others and to be taken seriously. I noticed that individuals who held titles and positions were afforded that respect. Therefore I sought after leadership roles with a hunger. I didn't hold many. I lacked so much of what took to be a good leader. I lacked diciplined, communication skills, experience, perspective, and the ability to plan and critical think. Being passed over only made me want titles more.

I have had many mentors in my life who have taught me what it is to lead. It has nothing to do with titles or position. It also does not require one to have everything together or figured out. It simply requires that one sticks to thier ideals, works hard, loves harder, and takes action.

This week has been quite the week. For many of us, 2020 has really just been aweful. I have allowed the past year to slow me down, wear me down, and stray from my path. In the words of Pastor Marcus and his sermon today I have been changing out of my lane. A good friend of mine approached me and called me out on it. He brought to my attention that I have not been staying in my lane nor have a I been leading in the way that i need to be.

As men we need those other men in our lives. The ones who will stay true to thier principles and help us correct our course. The ones who are unafraid to tell us to stay in our lane. I am so blessed to have these men in my life who are unafraid to call me out. Including our Pastor, Marcus, who lives this Creed both inside and outside the church building.

I want to challenge you all today to think about your journey as men. What lane should you be in for the season of life that you are traveling through? Are you in it? Are you constantly looking at the other lanes wishing you were able to change and not enjoying the lane you are in? As for me, I am going to do my best to settle into my lane and enjoy the ride.