Maybe you heard that Olympic skater Sven Kramer was disqualified despite having the fastest time by 4 seconds in the 10,000 meter speed skating event. Firmly out front and with the gold medal clinched, he skated the last few laps in the wrong lane and was disqualified.

If you are a leader, this story has huge implications for you -  let me share a few.

It is fundamentally important to stay in your lane.
Getting outside the area of your gifting or going into something God hasn’t directed is a serious issue. God told Joshua that everyplace he put his foot, God would give him. But God also told him where to put his feet! When you get outside your lane, you take a chance of being disqualified.

Timing is everything.
In speed skating, racers change lanes at certain times to ensure no one is at a distance disadvantage. Lane changes have to be executed at the right time. One of the biggest mistakes I see leaders make is shifting lanes too early. Know the window of time that is right for a lane change – if you’re the VP of Sales, don’t try to do the CFO’s job – even if you’ve been promised to be the next CFO. And if you’re a student ministries pastor stay out of the Senior Pastor’s lane – even if you feel called to be a Senior Pastor one day. Let patience have its perfect work and learn the lessons you need in the mean time to be the best you can be now and when your time comes.

Know who you are and who you are listening to.
Sven Kramer’s coach directed him to make the incorrect lane change that resulted in his disqualification. Leaders have to listen to others and yet make decisions only they can make. Sven Kramer got some bad advice from a really good coach, but remember – Sven is a world-class skater himself and maybe should have known better. People may be telling you to change lanes – you better know who you are listening to.

From a godly perspective, there is provision, blessing and grace for you when you stay in your lane AND when you change lanes at the right time.

Wrong lanes at wrong times bring disqualification- even when you outperform the rest of the field.