Keep it Between the Lines

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Just a couple of months ago, I traveled to South Carolina to visit with my son. Each time I go, I truly dread the drive. In order to get there, you have to pass through the mountains of North Carolina. I’m supposing they are beautiful if you’re not driving white-knuckled along the winding narrow lanes of the interstate. I get a sinking feeling the moment I see the mountains – even miles ahead of me – and only relax when they are miles behind in my rear view mirror.

This time was different. Something happened. I’m not saying this to be irreverent. I’m serious. Jesus was my co-Pilot.

Here’s how it usually goes. As I’m driving in the left lane (because the right lane behind the semis slows to about 45 mph), I am traveling, at times, maybe a foot from a concrete wall as tall as my car. It makes me sick at my stomach, and my entire body becomes rigid. Every time I pass a semi and we are traveling nauseatingly close, I keep peeking over at the semi. It seems out of the corner of my eye I’m seeing him drift over closer to me, so I have to keep my eye on him. Guess what? When I do that, I don’t have my eyes on the road. Sometimes, I look back and find myself even closer to the concrete barrier than a foot.

On the way there, as I drove and peeked this past trip, I heard a soft whisper from within. “Just keep it between the lines, Lisa.” Because I needed anything to keep my mind off my impending death by semi, I pondered this statement and even gave it a shot. I stopped peeking and just focused on the lines – my lines. I wasn’t constantly looking away only to find myself crossing the yellow line when I took my eyes off the road. I came to the conclusion; I had to trust that the semi driver was doing the same thing. The remainder of the drive there and the drive home were much more relaxing than ever before. Okay, maybe not relaxing, but I wasn’t nearly as freaked out.

My lesson: In life, too, just keep it between the lines. I need to tend to the business between my lines and quit peeking at others to make sure they are getting it right. I also need to quit peeking at others who might be doing it different or better than me. My lines are my lines. I want to be the best driver in my own lane even when it doesn’t look like someone else’s. Comparisons, whether good or bad, are pointless and will only leave you swerving into a concrete barrier. My ministry is what God has given me at this time and in this generation. He has never once asked me to look like or be like Beth Moore. He has a Beth Moore. Also, he has never asked me to be anyone else’s holy spirit. He is the Holy Spirit who will keep them between their own lines.

Not sure if any of this resonates with you, but I thought I would share. The point? Keep it between the lines. I heard that from an awesome, literal co-Pilot.

4 thoughts on “Keep it Between the Lines

  1. I love this! Have you heard the country song “Keep it Between the Lines” by Ricky Van Shelton? God revealed this to me in a different way several years ago. He has a plan for me that is original and custom made just for me. I’m not to judge or compare; I’m not to gossip about others. Keeping myself right is a full time job!

    1. Thanks for your feedback. I haven’t heard the song, but don’t you love how God uses music to invade your life? That happens to me all the time. Actually, the Lord uses music to minister to me only second to His actual written Word.

      I love your conclusion. “Keeping myself right is a full time job.” That’s totally me!! I’m such a handful, I don’t have time to work on or compare myself to others. 🙂

      I’m sincerely glad you replied to this post. I hope to have a new blog series coming soon, called the Stones Series. I have garden stones with pictures on them, which remind me of my journey with Jesus. I use them at women’s conferences to tell how Jesus wooed and pursued me to help me grasp how crazy He is about me and how deeply He loves me. Does that sound like something you would be interested in reading?

      Blessings to you,
      Lisa

  2. Oh I remember when I went through that very thing. I used to get the same feeling you were describing, every time I drove on the highway. Hated it. Tried to avoid, at all costs – even if it meant getting there 15 minutes later, just to avoid the interstate. Then, as you did, I remember the day when I thought, “Just worry about yourself and trust that the others are gonna do what they’re supposed to”. I had to – because like you, I would tense up and grip that steering wheel and be a emotional wreck by the time I arrived to my destination. Thanks for sharing. And thanks for the reflection of how your message came from God. And thanks for being a friend of mine. Not even sure how I came across your blog this morning – Facebook, I think – but glad I did. Have a great day and can’t wait to read the new book!

    1. Nice to know I’m not alone. When I was younger, this anxiety was so bad that I had to take back roads everywhere. Now, I zip around, well, except for on the mountains. I have a very healthy respect for them.

      So glad you’re my friend! And super glad for our accidental encounter yesterday.

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