Stay In Your Lane

One of the phrases of recent years, that invites folks to focus on their area, is “stay in your lane”. It has the connotation of driving along a road, yet without that context. It instead is meant to admonish those who extend outside of their normal boundaries – even when (especially when!) they know better.

Often, it comes when someone lacks the skill or ability to engage where they are trying to; or when they are ignoring the parameters that have been set for them. What is generally not lacking in these circumstances, however, is an overdeveloped confidence.

I was thinking about the phrase last week when I headed out snowshoeing; I had decided to go alongside the track that the nordic ski club had set at a local golf course. I say “alongside” intentionally – following the request of the ski club (and common sense), I kept off the ski tracks, as I know that snowshoes can cause harm to the groomed trails – and therefore create unnecessary problems for the skiers.

So I trekked out; beside the ski trails, making tracks of my own. Several skiers passed me, there were plenty of friendly ‘hello’s and smiles. Everyone stayed in their lane; everyone had a good day out.

Staying in our lane in other areas of life can also be beneficial; a healthy humility and self-awareness can keep us exercising our ministry in ways that are helpful, healthy, and fruitful to what we have been called to. When we veer into others’ lanes, like traipsing over a groomed ski trail, we can cause damage to the ministry of others; overstepping into someone else’s lane (even with the best of intentions) denies them their ministry.

Our lanes are there; and we all have them. God is always calling us onward, giving us opportunities to go and grow and serve. God is also always reminding us that we are accompanied on our journeys by the others in our lives – who are following their own lanes.

May God grant us discernment and wisdom to stay in our lanes!

A LOTtle

 

Last week, we had a foggy day. Ice fog usually means hoarfrost, where everything gets coated with a sheen of moisture, resulting in gorgeous sparkling when the sun shines.

It doesn’t take much; a slightly higher than average humidity leads to trees covered in diamond-like brilliance. With fog in winter, a little humidity means a lot of beauty.

Likewise, we can reflect on how in our lives, some little thing can become significant to us.

A small gesture of kindness can brighten a dull day; a small act of compassion can encourage in the midst of struggle. A friend making time to listen when we need a shoulder to lean on; a small note of thanks acknowledging our efforts – it all adds up.

On this Freedom Sunday, when we commit to fighting against the scourge of Human Trafficking, a little education can help us to recognise when evil is in our midst; a little courage can help liberate someone who is trapped.

Whatever our context, every small action has the potential to make the world a better place.

Our faith inspires us to love God and love each other; and there is no loving action that is too small to matter. Each small act of love may be an answer to someone else’s prayer; and every connection opens a door to a potential relationship.

As we enter another week, let’s celebrate every little thing that is done in love: it means a lot.

“Rabbi Tarfon would say:
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
Do justly, now.
Love mercy, now.
Walk humbly, now."
(Quoted in Wisdom of the Jewish Sages by Rabbi Rami Shapiro)

Oversharing

Emblem of the 2026 Winter Olympics; Public Domain

I have not been watching the Olympics very much this week; but I have been watching some ‘highlight reels’ – and wow, there have been some fascinating things happening!
The ‘chirping’ at the curling events was unusual (especially with multiple claims of double touching by Canadians?!); the accomplishments of all of the athletes is inspiring a new generation of athletes (hello Gilles and Poirier!); the supporters have been amazing (who will forget Maia Schwinghammer’s father going viral); and really, no one quite knew how to react to the suggestion of the ski jumpers’ injected …enhancements. (Other than “ICK!”)

One of the standout moments, however, came from the unlikely interview with a Norwegian bronze-medal winner, who used his interview to lament his recent infidelity to his ex-girlfriend. Reports indicate she was less than pleased with his public revelation, and he went on to further apologise for his indiscretion about their personal issues. (Fortunately, the media have respected her wish for anonymity)

Oversharing is a reality in our world; and usually something that is a reaction (not a response), that’s clearly not been though through. It can violate boundaries, create awkwardness and discomfort, and can lead to damaged relationships and reputations in future.

The consequences of oversharing don’t have to be extreme to be perceived as negative. Even the best of intentions can be quashed by someone’s revelations that are untimely or inappropriate. Context matters!

As people of faith, we are invited to be circumspect in what, and how, we share. We are certainly called to share our faith, but to practice discretion and wisdom in how we do this. We are stewards of our personal lives; and when the time is right, we can focus on appropriate sharing within our community. If we ignore boundaries, however, we may inadvertently push people away, thus defeating our intention and our calling.

When we rely on our spiritual maturity and attentiveness, we understand the benefits of sharing with purpose (consider the advice of Ephesians 4.29: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear; or Proverbs 12.18: Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.)

May God keep our sharing to be for the building up of community; may the Spirit hold our tongues before we overshare!

Not-So-Super Bowl

Like most major sporting and entertainment events, there is always more happening than just the game on the field/ice/stadium/whatever. There are half-time shows, parties, tailgating, the list goes on.

Unfortunately, large events like this are also notorious for illicit actions as well. Human trafficking rates are known to rise substantially at large events; and while increased awareness initiatives and more careful policing does help to curb some of this evil, it still happens.

Anywhere and anytime that thousands of people are in one location, some/many of whom may be impaired, others who may personally profit from turning a blind eye – it’s a forum for the commercialisation of humanity.

A horrifying fact of human trafficking is that it is a by-demand system – meaning that before a human is trafficked, someone has already paid for that human to be trafficked. Unlike other exchanges, traffickers do not have ability or inclination to maintain surplus supply.

While the majority of people who are trafficked are enslaved in sex trafficking, there are also a large number who are targeted for labour trafficking. Globally, there are an estimated 28 million people trapped in human trafficking any day.

In Canada, February 22 is Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Here in Saskatoon, there will be a flag-raising, solemn walk, and panel discussion about the realities of human trafficking in our midst (February 20, beginning at City Hall). We may not be the Super Bowl, but this darkness creeps across every community.

The good news is that we are making a difference: by shining the light into the darkness, by refusing to look away when it becomes painful or awkward; by doing what we can to re-affirm the dignity and rights of every human being.

This is modern-day slavery; and as Christians we are called to stand against this commodification and exploitation of our kin. We can do this through education and advocacy; learning about what human trafficking looks like in our own contexts, and committing to respect the dignity of all – praying for those who are trapped, survivors, and for those who work with them. We pray, too, for those who engage in illicit acts, and for the traffickers – that God may turn their hearts.

May God give us the strength and courage to be informed advocates for justice.

Isa. 61.1-2 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn.