I will have to admit that I have had a blast since the Uber ridesharing system came on board here in Birmingham January 2016. I have had the pleasure of meeting some interesting people that live here, thinking of transferring here, in Birmingham on business or just simply visiting friends. People from all over the world and U.S. There have been many wonderful stories of my riders that are just too many for me to share with you at this time. But there are several life comparisons I would love to share with you.
If you are not familiar with Uber it was introduced to the public in 2009 as a quick, easy and inexpensive way of getting around. The founder of the company actually put the idea together while in Paris when a snowstorm left him and his friend stranded and had trouble hailing a cab. Their thoughts turned to all the people driving past in their personal cars yet they are unable to make it back to their destination. Strangers riding in your car of course is not always an inviting idea.
It is devised as a tech company–an app on a smartphone is downloaded and if you need a ride you simply tap on the app and it identifies your location and then the closet driver in return picks you up and no monies are exchanged. The app holds a credit card number or a Paypal account. Ideally Uber would want there to be enough drivers in the area that there is less than a 4 minute wait.
This is where the fun comes into play. This system is a lot like life in so many ways.
As a driver you are riding around an area of your city where you are hoping a rider will be needing a ride. You just never know what is waiting around the corner or who is coming out of a building after either working, eating, been to church, need a run to the grocery store, has a car in the repair shop and you are either taking them to get it or it has been dropped off. Whatever the case might be the driver is constantly on the prowl–anticipating.
Life is like a journey on the roads of an unknown place, whose map you have been provided with. In the childhood, you learn to read the legends and once you are done, you are on your own. You can choose to read the map and go places, or just cruise along the highway without ever knowing where you’ll end up. You can mark a destination on the map and go there and find that it was worth it or you can just ride along and end up at random places just to find that it was not what you were looking for.
As a driver I see myself throughout the course of the day or night shuffling people around town. Now at night it is a totally different animal. Basically moving drunk people from one bar to the other or from a bar back home. Either way, as long as they are in a Uber car and not driving, that is a good thing.
This is what it looks like when an Uber driver has a “ping” on their phone for a pickup. Excited beyond words because that is cash money pinging at us when we have a rider that needs to go some place. Also you just never know who might be getting in your car nor where their ride might take you to as their driver.
Isn’t life filled with surprises? One never knows what is waiting behind door #1. We are constantly on the prowl for THAT one something to come into our lives. Are you on that search for something or someone who will fulfill your life?
While I am driving invariably I get asked “do you like driving for Uber, how did you get started doing this or do you drive after your regular work hours”? All good questions. But, these questions open it up and a chance for me to share my testimony with them and how I have been a blessed man. I have had the pleasure to share God’s salvation and love and pray with many individuals. My pastor has dubbed me the Uber pastor. There have been some who have gotten in my car that are distraught and need someone to lean on even if it were only for a few minutes.
It is not easy to bring up being laid off and the fact that I have yet to find that job where God needs me to be. I have been humbled real fast. Being laid off from a job I had for close to 13 years, 4 months later find myself in a near death accident then on to a massive rehabilitation. So, going from making a fantastic living with a company car and all the perks-benefits that go with it to almost to the point of begging for anyone to please hire me all while learning to walk again. Just know that life is too short and don’t think for a minute that everything around you can’t be taken away.
This is where I had a “come to meet Jesus” meeting and laid it all on the table for Him to take control. Much like Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” hit single.
Christians are waiting for His will to be done. We must remain vigilant much like an Uber driver. He provides for us, comforts us. Psalm 37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Are you waiting on Him? Are you willing to wait for Him to provide that place for you? Pray the right prayer.
Live well, laugh often, love much.