Stay In Your Lane

This past Wednesday, I went with a friend for a drive to Zion, Illinois. This city near the Wisconsin border was founded at the beginning of the 20th century by a preacher named John Alexander Dowie. Originally from Scotland, Dowie had a powerful ministry based in Chicago where God used him mightily in the gifts of healing. However, he wanted to establish Zion as a totally Christian-based society. Possession of tobacco, liquor, and swine's flesh were prohibited within city limits. As Dowie focused on overseeing this new city, his ministry declined, and suffered financial problems before passing away at 59.

Roberts Liardon’s book “God’s Generals” details Dowie’s life as well as other preachers whose ministries didn’t end well. One of whom was William Branham. He had gifts in healing and prophecy, but desired to become a teacher. Branham wasn’t knowledgeable enough in the Word. As a result, he drifted into proclaiming unbiblical doctrines such as rejecting the existence of an eternal hell. As a result, God allowed Branham’s life to be cut short by a drunk driver. 


Perhaps you heard the phrase “stay in your lane.” One online dictionary defines that as “a term of admonishment or advice against those who express thoughts or opinions on a subject about which they are viewed as having insufficient knowledge or ability.” God has a plan for our lives, but we need to stick with that plan and not deviate into other things. As an evangelist, my calling is to preach the gospel and teach others to do the same. Some people have suggested I become a pastor. That’s not something I’ve seriously pursued. God would have to set that up if and when it’s His time for me to be employed at a church.


In track and field events, runners can become disqualified if they don’t stay in their lane. Likewise, we can disqualify ourselves from God’s blessings if we don’t remain in the center of our calling.


“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.” - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

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