“Lane Ends…Merge Right”

So, this morning I was on my way to the church and I was on this street that I travel very frequently.  For some reason on this morning I noticed the sign that says, “Lane Ends Merge Right.”  It caught my attention because we (the cars) had just turned onto this road and for a little short drive there were three lanes open but the sign said that in a short distance you will have to move over because the lane that you are on is about to end.  I questioned why would the lane end when it is a feeder road to get on to the highway.  I don’t have the answer because I am not a highway/street developer nor was I consulted on the conversation to make that decision.  For whatever reason the lane ended prior to making the availability to get on to a bigger road.  I also chuckled within myself because I saw cars that was speeding to get over to the left thinking they had more time only to get caught having to move back over into the lane that they were in.

I begin to think that life is like that.  Let’s take a quick look at some lessons in my experience this morning.

• Some lanes in your life ends abruptly and you have no control over it.  Often in life we are traveling in our lane comfortable with our journey and then we see a sign that says we have to move over, this lane is going to end.  How many times have we had to adjust our life to another lane and it not be our choice?  If it were up to us, we would stay in the lane that is clear, open, without debris, no slow drivers and whatever speed limit we choose.  That is not often the case.  Sometimes the lanes are wide open in our lives and sometimes we have no choice but to move over.
• Some lanes are not meant for a lifelong journey, they are feeder roads to a more open highway.  God allows some lanes in life for a short time and we must merge over, but those lanes are not meant to be for the long haul, only a feeder to a bigger, better highway.  Don’t get upset if you have to shift lanes.  Rejoice in the fact that there is always a feeder lane taking you to a better road.  Sometimes we complain about the short roads in life failing to thank God for the bigger blessings that are approaching.  The persons responsible for the planning and laying out of the roads and highways are strategic in their planning.  Each road, lane and highway are set that way for a reason that to many who are not experts will never understand.  God knows where you need to be and He sets your plan on a course to bless you to get to where you need to be.
• Lastly, don’t try to get ahead too soon.  I laugh when I see other drivers trying to speed up to get ahead of me and then when they get ready to cut in front of me there is someone driving slower and they have to slow down and go back to where they came from losing position because they were trying to get ahead of me.  Take it from me…slow down!  Let God lead you and you don’t have to drive recklessly to get ahead in life.  Be patient and let God maneuver you through the journey.  My testimony is that often when I used to speed and try to cut time off of my journey, something was always there that made me get to my destination at the same time as I would have if I would have driven the speed limit.

God bless you and don’t trip out on having to change lanes.  Just be prepared for God to open your life up to greater blessings and bigger opportunities!

Michael O. Oyedokun II