It was 2:15 am this past Wednesday morning. I had wrapped up a conference in Los Angeles on Tuesday and was getting up for an early flight home. My plan was prayer, a quick workout, and getting ready to catch my uber ride to the airport at 3:15 am.
I had scheduled the ride the night before but was very relieved when I saw Will pull up a few minutes early. There aren’t many options at that time of morning if he cancels on me!
As I got into the backseat, I thanked him for being there and being so prompt. Will turned and told me, “Doug, I am here to serve you. I’ll get you to the airport safely and on time.”
We proceeded to talk for the entire 45-minute drive to Terminal 4 at LAX. He told me that he was a retired Los Angeles City bus driver. He described all kinds of people that got on his bus each day. They ranged from business professionals seeking to avoid driving in traffic to homeless people seeking a ride to a shelter for a meal.
He said he greeted them all the same – “Come on in and find a seat. I’ll get you where you need to go!”
He told me that he had retired a few years ago and spent some time traveling in those first few months of retirement. He and his wife wanted to see some places, and they did just that. However, after six months, he said he felt empty. The passion he had for life was gone. Something was missing.
As we approached a red light and stopped, Will turned to me and said, “I was no longer serving. I was put on this earth to serve, and I had to get back in the game.” He went on to tell me two decisions that he made that eventful day when he decided to address that “empty” feeling.
He decided to drive for Uber and go to culinary school.
He was already a skilled driver, knew the area very well, and always found fulfillment in serving through transporting others. Uber was a natural choice. He could set his hours and serve as much as he desired.
I asked about the culinary choice.
He said he always wanted to learn to be a chef and now had the time. He took those culinary skills after graduation and turned down the high-end restaurants for the homeless shelter. He cooks two days a week for a local shelter – serving in another way. He saw those people getting on the bus and wanted to serve them in some manner.
Will was a servant for sure. He told me he was back to his purpose-driven self. He was no longer empty. He found fulfillment in serving others!
Before I got out of the car at the airport, I reminded Will about Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40 where He said, “Truly I say to you, as you did it for one of the least of these my brothers, you did it for me.” I told Will what a blessing he was to me on that Uber ride. Who would have thought?
I have reflected on that conversation for days now. Will found fulfillment in serving others. He was empty, serving only himself. There was nothing wrong with traveling. He had saved the money. They loved the adventure. However, when that was all there was, he was left empty and unfulfilled.
What’s your takeaway from my 45-minute ride with Will? Did Will share something that might be meaningful to you?
Two things I got:
1. Serving others results in fulfillment.
2. Serving only self leads to empty.
I would rather be driving on a full tank than running on empty!
Doug equips leaders to make organizations better. He has two leadership books available on all online platforms. Whether you are looking for a speaker for your next event or a leadership coach to develop people and build an authentic team, contact Doug at doug.strickel@gmail.com and learn more about PLUS.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:45 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
