Wayne was just sixteen when he started driving the church bus. Every Sunday, he would pick up about thirty people from low-income families and bring them to and from church. He loved every minute of it.
It was a thriving ministry—until an older member of the church voiced concerns about a teenager driving so many people. After several months of complaints, it was decided that Wayne, at sixteen, could no longer drive the bus. Someone older would take over.
Someone older did step in—for about a week. After that, the bus just sat in the church parking lot. No one else was willing to drive it, so thirty people lost their transportation to and from church.
The bus didn’t go anywhere. It just sat there. Every Sunday, people would walk by the bus, not thinking about the impact it once had—or could still have—on the lives of so many.
No one wanted to serve God in this way. It was inconvenient and too much work. Sadly, the ministry died.
Decades later, when Wayne reflected on his time as the bus driver with me, I could tell he truly loved it. Those people he picked up every Sunday mattered to him. He was operating within his gifts.
Wayne knew he wasn’t called to lead worship or plant a church in a distant country. But he could drive a bus. He saw a need, and he filled it.
I wish there were more people like Wayne—people who don’t just walk past the bus. People who say, “How can we use this to build the kingdom of God?” And then they get in the driver’s seat and start changing lives.
The Bible says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10)
You have a gift—a gift given to you by God. How are you using it for His purpose?
Are you getting on the bus to serve, or are you standing on the sidelines, criticizing the bus?
I think we can all agree getting on the bus and changing lives is far more rewarding and fulfilling. Why? Because that’s exactly what God calls us to do. That’s what He wants you to do.
God didn’t give you a gift to keep it to yourself. Too often, we let our God-given gifts sit idle, like that old bus in the parking lot. But they aren’t meant to sit there and die. It’s time to start using your gifts and talents for the kingdom of God.
Here’s my challenge to you today: ask God to show you where you can start changing lives for Him. What “bus” does He want you to get on?
As Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
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