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.