The Bus

I was asked to sign a copy of my book, On My Way for a friend of a friend. I usually include a personal message. The recipient, I was told, was not a strong believer, so I wasn’t sure what to write. That evening I asked God to help me. It was during the night that He gave me the bus analogy. The next morning I began conjuring up the thoughts from the night before and started writing the note which turned into a letter.

My thoughts led me to think about my own life. Christ was always a part of it, but I kept Him at a distance. It was like He was in the backseat of my car with my family. My career was in the front passenger seat. The Lord spoke to me from the back seat, but I was in control. I remember the day all that changed. It was when He sent a fellow usher from church to ask me to make a three day Cursillo. I remember telling him I would go if I don’t have anything better to do. Fortunately, I ended up going.

After the Cursillo, Christ moved up to the front seat and my career moved to the back. Life seemed to be going better. God brought a variety of people into my life, friends, family and work associates who advanced my career and my spiritual life. Then I took a job with another company which required a move and had many financial benefits.

It was then that I transferred Christ to the back seat again and career was upfront directing my life. Christ got my attention by bringing some people to me, who were in search of Him. In order to help them, I needed His help. When I called, He answered. I then put Christ in the front seat once more and career in the back.

Christ and I became constant companions, and He brought prosperity through, customers, business associates, and great managers. He influenced my character and people liked what they saw. I started to show more concern for my employee’s well-being, and our customer’s business interests. He was guiding me and my career. He was a big part of my life and I knew I was somewhere on the road to heaven. Like most people, I did not know exactly where that was.

Then a former employee asked, “How could he get to know Christ better?” Once again, I asked Christ for help and in less than five minutes, God gave me the Circles as a spiritual roadmap. My friend immediately knew where he was on the road and for the first time, I discovered where I was as well.

Two years later I wrote and published the book, On My Way, which was based upon the above incident. Soon other folks wanted to join me on the journey so I needed a bus. When they boarded, most went to the back of the bus. They liked the fact that the bus was headed toward heaven, but they were afraid to get too close to Jesus because they might have to change their life style. Everybody was at peace on the bus and in a happy place. Those on the bus listened to Him and eventually wanted to hear more of what He said and taught. They moved up toward Him. As Christ brought more people into my life that wanted to get on the bus, it became crowded. Some got off and started their own bus route taking Christ with them to the same destination.

The ticket to getting on the bus is in asking oneself, “Who am I” as God sees me, and what is my purpose in life? To help work through these questions, the Lord sends His Spirit. It often takes a while and some deep thinking to work through these questions. Then if we decide we would like to get on the bus, He punches our ticket.

At this point read the book “On My Way” to determine where you are on the road and what circle you are in. Is this where you want to be? If not, get on the bus. The bus may take you to join a bible study or to a specific church. You may transfer to a new bus on a retreat, like Emmaus or Cursillo. Through perseverance we can all get to the green circle where you start to spend dedicated time with Christ. If you get to the gold circle you might find yourself driving the bus. Eventually you will trust Him enough to let Him drive and go where He takes you.

Psalm 130: With the Lord there is Mercy and fullness of redemption.

I pray that you will continue on the journey and enjoy the ride.

Clarence Gilles