Uber Jesus

Unexpected Graces in Everyday Life (Part 2)

With fear and trembling, I pushed the “Choose UberX” button on my cell phone. My wife and I had prayed for a safer driver than the one we had the last time we landed at the Los Angeles airport. “I believe. Lord help my unbelief.” ¹

Our last Uber trip from LAX was the first time I arrived at my destination more quickly than the WAZE app had predicted. But my wife and I paid the price for that speedy journey. Our driver successfully avoided traffic by taking side roads. That wasn’t enough for him. He cut in and out of lanes to make better time and honked at cars driving the speed limit. My wife and I were sure he would hit someone. It felt more like a rollercoaster than an Uber ride. When the ride was over we quickly stumbled out of the car and he drove off. My motion sickness began to fade while I complained in every way possible through the Uber app.

As we awaited our current driver, my phone suddenly announced that our new driver had been assigned. His name was “Jesus.” Jesus had a five-star rating after more than 4,800 passengers. We shouldn’t have expected anything less than perfection. Our prayers had been answered!

I immediately noticed his hair. It was short, nothing like those mass-produced paintings of Jesus. Then I noticed he was far younger than the Jesus in my mind’s eye. His smile, however, as he got out of his car to help us put our bags in the trunk, was just like my wife’s favorite picture of Jesus.

Photo of “Jesus Laughing” available here.

He too chose to take side roads and avoid the traffic. But as he did the three of us began to get to know each other. We learned he was a hip-hop dancer who had recently graduated from UCLA. He learned that we were empty nesters. He found that interesting because his Mom was an empty nester as well. I began to feel old when he told us that my wife and I were the exact ages of his grandparents.

As we drove by Sofi Stadium, Jesus told us he and his girlfriend had recently attended a concert by Bad Bunny. My wife, feeling very hip because she knew that Bad Bunny was a Latin singer asked him if “she” had given a good concert. We all laughed when Jesus graciously responded that Bad Bunny was a male singer. It’s funny what you learn when you listen to Jesus.

The ride from LAX to our home took longer than the previous Uber experience. Nevertheless, it seemed much shorter. And as my wife and I exited the vehicle we were happy and encouraged. Jesus was too. Again he got out of the car and helped us with our luggage. There were smiles all around.

As we waved goodbye, it dawned on me that I drive through life like our first Uber driver, trying to get things done in the quickest possible time. I also get similar results. Though the ride with Jesus took longer, it seemed much shorter, and I didn’t get motion sickness. I opened the Uber app and gladly gave him 5-stars and a really good tip.

I remember something Uber Jesus told us early on when we asked how he had earned his perfect rating. “It isn’t hard to be nice to people if you try.”

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1. Mark 9:21-25