Own Lane

…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

(Philippians 2:12, NKJV)

Living and belonging in a community is a great blessing that we enjoy.  The gift of the company of each other, the sharing of good times and hard times when they come, is a strength that we have learnt to value.  The saying “unity is strength” is true in many ways and fuels a lot of the activities we do.  Yes, it is often easier to do things with other people, we go farther together and the results are multiplied.  This speaks to the belief by different cultures that each one of us is a gift to another person.  Our choice of how we show up for others is what determines the value of what we bring.  Having said this, it is also expected that there are situations where one has to go alone, recognizing these moments of alone journey is important.

Our reference verse calls us to a reflection of handling our salvation as a personal matter.  While we belong to fellowships and families, we are being called to consider our salvation from an individual level as God works in each one of us to achieve His purposes (Vs. 13).  We are all called to different things and we have been gifted differently, this is not an area for communal action but individual revelation and action.  God has an expectation on each one of us and we are to find our own path with Him.  As we pursue our path of salvation, we are also reminded not to treat others wrong but also to look out for their interests.  This is a delicate balance, between our own journey while valuing others for the journey they are also on.  The word of God reminds us that we esteem others better than ourselves and this takes away elements of pride and superiority (Philippians 2:2-3).  We shall honour others enough to allow and trust them to handle their bit too, to pursue their journey to success.  It is also noted that when we uphold others with honour, we free ourselves to pursue our own lane. Each focuses on what is their own.

Reflecting on this call for full individual commitment, I was reminded of Jesus calling His disciples and one asked for permission to go and bury his father while another asked to go and say goodbye to his family.  Jesus’ answer was instructive on the commitment that they were being called to make, so that He said the dead should be left to bury their dead, and that those who commit to follow Him could not look back (Luke 9:59-62).  In no uncertain terms, Jesus was saying that there is no compromise or looking back once we choose to follow Him.  Beloved, this is what we have been called to, singular commitment to the journey with our Master.  Paul when writing to Timothy compares our walk of faith as a battle field, where we are enlisted as soldiers; a race where we compete to win and cannot be distracted (2 Timothy 2:3-5).  The focus not to be entangled and the obligation to keep to our promise is what we are individually called too.  Beloved, may we be conscious of how compromises entangle our faith journey and may we live in the awareness of the high calling that we have answered to.

Thoughts:

What does working out your salvation mean to you?

Are there areas where you have been entangled?

How will you strengthen your personal response to God’s call on you?