Stay in Your Lane – Shaped by Faith with Theresa Rowe

“Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” Proverbs 4:25–27

On our recent road trip to Tampa, Florida, my husband and I encountered something that many drivers can relate to—vehicles, especially slower ones and large trucks, clogging the fast lane. As traffic backed up and our speed crawled along, my husband couldn’t help but growl out loud to the drivers clogging the road ahead of us.

“What are you doing in this lane?” he’d ask, as if the driver could intuitively hear him. “You need to stay in your own lane!” I reminded him, on multiple occasions, that they couldn’t hear him—but I certainly could. And that’s when it hit me. How often do we do the same thing in our spiritual lives? How often do we swerve into someone else’s lane, trying to operate in a calling or gifting that God never assigned to us?

We each have a specific lane—our God-given calling, unique gifts, and spiritual assignments. When we stay in that lane, we experience peace, progress, and power. But when we attempt to merge into someone else’s purpose, we can cause unnecessary delays—not just in our journey, but in the journey of others as well.

Romans 12:4–6 reminds us: “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.”

Trying to fulfill someone else’s calling is like driving a semi in the passing lane—it’s not efficient, it’s not designed for speed, and it holds others up. In the Body of Christ, each believer is equipped with specific talents and roles. When we work in harmony, the body moves forward like a well-oiled machine. When we compete, compare, or overstep, confusion and delay follow.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” God created each of us with intention. Our personalities, backgrounds, and experiences all help shape our unique assignments.

Galatians 6:4–5 encourages us: “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

This doesn’t mean we don’t help one another or operate in unity. It means we honor the lanes God has placed us in and cheer each other on. A healthy Body of Christ isn’t about everyone doing everything—it’s about everyone doing their part faithfully.

So, friend, what lane has God placed you in? Are you trying to ride in someone else’s? Are you frustrated, or maybe growling, because the gifts you’ve been given don’t seem as flashy or public as others? Let me encourage you today: There is great beauty in obedience. There is power in His precision alignment. And there is joy in knowing you’re right where God wants you to be.

1 Corinthians 12:18 says, “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.” Trust that placement.

Take time this week to pray and ask the Lord: “Am I staying in my lane? Or am I drifting into someone else’s?” Then listen for His gentle direction. He will guide your steps.

Let’s run the race set before us—focused, faithful, and free of comparison. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”

Lord, help me stay in the lane You’ve chosen for me. Teach me to value the gifts You’ve given, to walk in obedience, and to trust that where You’ve placed me is exactly where I’m meant to be. Amen.

We weren’t just on vacation—we were on assignment. I had the honor of being a guest on the national TV show *Come Home with Jen Mallan*, filmed at the Christian Television Network in Tampa. Everything I do in ministry flows through Shaped by Faith, and during this special opportunity, I was able to share my story of faith, how Shaped by Faith began, and how God orchestrated it all. I even demonstrated what faith-based fitness looks like in action.

While on set, I noticed how each person had a unique role—from the producers and directors to the camera crew and makeup artists. No one tried to take over someone else’s job. They all worked together with joy and excellence, like a well-oiled machine. It reminded me of the Body of Christ. When we each embrace the assignment God has given us, and do it faithfully, everything flows in unity and peace.