The Bus Ride

When I was 15 years old I took a bus, by myself, across Canada from Vancouver to Toronto. I wasn't committed to the bus, I didn't own it. They didn’t ask me what color to paint the bus, and I really didn’t care what color it was. I rode in the bus along with other passengers. I wasn't asked to plan the schedule or the route. The bus stopped when the driver wanted it to and left again when he was ready. I wasn't related to the driver, in fact, I knew nothing about him. I didn't know any other passengers on the bus, where they were coming from or where they were going. We got along fine. I talked to some of them; told them I was going to my grandmother’s house. But I allowed them to choose their own destinations. I was in the bus, but I wasn’t part of the bus.

When we reached Toronto the bus went to the west side of town. My grandmother lived on the east side of town. That was fine. I rode the bus as far as it was going, and then I went my own way to Grandma's house. I had no intention of residing at the bus station.

Now I live in America in a worldly system. I ride along in this system but I am not committed to it. I'm not part of it, and I'm not going where the world is headed. When my time in this world comes to an end I will shake off the dust of this world and move on to my permanent home. So when the world seems to take a wrong turn, slows down, changes drivers, I don't get excited. I don't have to stomp my feet in protest. No, I'm just along for the ride, but I'm headed for the destination that God has prepared for me.

I learned a lot from a taxi driver in Islamabad. There had been a major political upheaval, including the assassination of a presidential candidate. I asked the driver what he thought of it. He replied, "Oh well, the government does their thing and we live our lives. We don't bother with them". Here we see lots of political, moral, and social upheavals. I’m disappointed in the direction the world is taking. But I'm not part of this system; their choices don’t determine my destiny. My responsibility, according to John 17:20-23, is to politely and lovingly tell the others on this “bus” about my Savior and his infinite gift. But ultimately, I’m just a passenger headed to a glorious destiny.