Jesus – The Ride Share Driver
Jesus Takes the Wheel
Most people (Christian or not) are somewhat aware that Christians are to be Christ-like and should reflect Christ in their day to day lives. Now, perhaps you questioned my intent by the title of this blog and thought I was mocking my Lord and Savior by titling this blog, Jesus – The Ride Share Driver; that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Jesus said in Matt 25: 35-36, 40: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me…And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Does that not also apply to rideshare driving? As a rideshare driver, driving for over a year now, I am taking in strangers and helping them, just as our Lord commanded. Many of them share their heartaches and struggles with me; I have to rely on the Lord to give me the right words to say to them.
For those of you who love Country music, you might remember the famous song Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood; I also have to allow Jesus to take the wheel when I drive my car. In February 2019, I became a rideshare driver for Uber & Lyft, knowing that I was being Jesus to all who ride in my vehicle. This was a job I had been praying for, for over six months since losing my mom and dad to cancer and COPD. Our family had also lost a considerable amount of income through their deaths. So I cried out to God to help me to be able to find work that I could do that would not make my existing health conditions worse. I knew I needed a job in which I would be able to help support my family. I had no idea what God would have in store for me as far as a job was concerned.
I used to be a travel agent over twenty years ago and loved that line of work; I was good at it. So, I naturally thought that was where God was going to lead me as far as employment. So, I updated my resume and even went to several job interviews for travel agent employment. Still, no doors opened up with a job offer to get back into the world of travel. I prayed a specific prayer that God would keep the doors closed that He didn’t want me to walk through and only open the door to employment that He wanted me to have. That door opened with the rideshare industry. Currently, with the Co-Vid 19 virus that is upon the entire world, I can see God’s hand in the type of employment He wanted me to have back in 2019; had I gotten a travel agent job, I would now be without a job. My job as not only a rideshare driver but also delivering groceries is deemed as essential work, and therefore, God has had His hand in His continued providence of me and my family.
I can remember thinking back to the time before working with Uber & Lyft when I did ponder the idea of becoming a rideshare driver. I felt that there was no way my husband would allow me to drive strangers around in my car; I feared he would feel it was unsafe for me as a woman. Being raised with the mindset that you don’t pick up hitchhikers, I had the mentality that it was too dangerous and not safe. So, when my husband told me he was going to become a driver for Uber and Lyft, I brought up the fact that I had already considered it. That opened up a whole new set of doors where he and I could work together as a team and bring in an income for our family. We have both been rideshare drivers for over a year now. It has its ups and downs, and we have seen many changes come and go with the rideshare industry, but God still has a place for us here.
I labeled myself as a rideshare driver for Jesus, and that has been what I have done since day one. Like all believers in Jesus Christ, I have my good days and bad days. Some days I am better able to ‘be Jesus’ to all I come in contact with, within my job than other days. I meet people from all walks of life and religious backgrounds; yet, how do I share Jesus with strangers that are in and out of my car all day long? While you may disagree, I feel this is a specialized field in street evangelism that is greatly needed. God has placed me in this specialized field for a reason.
There have been many times passengers open up to me about their lives; I am then able to share a little part of my testimony or walk with Christ with them. No, I never ‘cram Jesus down anyone’s throat,’ but God has opened up many doors to where I can share some part of my faith in Christ with those who are reaching out for the information that I have. Most times, it is light-hearted comments, or I state in regards to my safety as a female driver, that I place my life and the lives of my passengers in the Lord’s hands.
Still, other times when I can tell the passenger wishes to be quiet and don’t want to talk, I am witnessing through the music that I play softly through my car stereo. When I 1st started driving, I exclusively only played the Christian radio station K-Love. I have received many positive comments as to the music played on their station. Now, over a year later, I switch between playing K-Love and three playlists I created specifically for my rideshare driving. I incorporate some songs that I love that are secular, but safe, but I still have many of the songs that are heard on K-Love in my playlists as well. I also include my music in my three playlists. I have also given away my albums for free, as I add my music as a freebie that I have in my car that includes samples from my bath and body shop as well as water. Many passengers have taken these freebies, which is another way I can ‘be Jesus’ to these strangers I feel the Lord brings my way.
When it comes to the music that I write and create, I model after K-Love in that I want my music to be positive, uplifting, and encouraging to all who hear it; I want my music to point people to Jesus Christ. Another reason for writing this blog is to speak of one particular song that is on my latest album, The Return of the King. The fact that I am a rideshare driver means I see the homeless and the downtrodden almost every day that I am working. One song deeply affected me that I heard in 2019. DAN, who is also a considerable contributor to the creation process of my newest album, recorded a song many years ago entitled Street East of the River. The song is based around his life as a paid musician, and what he wishes for in his music. It was the 2nd verse of his original version that hit me to the core. I could strongly relate to the entirety of his song, but precisely what he sings about in the 2nd verse of his original version; I see it every day as a rideshare driver.
The panhandlers are restless, beg you for a dime
they wait outside the doors just like their dreams they left behind
Joey’s playing bartender, pouring drinks to get by
sometimes I wonder what it’d be like, to see the world through his eyes
I could see Jesus in DAN’s song, and so I asked if he would be willing to do a 2nd version of his song Street East of the River and allow me to change just a few of the words to make it more Christ-centered, and he gladly said yes. Using his original music, and the simple but few lyrical changes, we re-recorded the vocals together. Using the new lyrics, we did the updated version as a duet.
Below, I’d like to share the music video of the latest version of DAN’s emotional song Street East of the River that is on my new album, The Return of the King. I can’t thank DAN enough for allowing me the honor and privilege of singing his song as a duet with him.
Lorraine & DAN – Street East of the River
I still work as a rideshare driver, being Jesus to all who rides in my car. I also deliver groceries to customers who use online grocery shopping. Providing these essential services allows me to go where people are and to continue to ‘be Jesus’ to all I come in contact with. I have had to significantly cut back on the amount of driving that I do, due to health problems. In the last year, I have started to develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and wear braces on each hand when I am driving. Yet, God always provides for all my financial needs. My main focus now is on my music. My vision and goals are to get my music out there so more people can be uplifted, encouraged, and healed by The Healer – Jesus Christ.
If you enjoyed the song and video of Street East of the River, you can find it on my latest album, The Return of the King. You might also check out my 2nd album, The Good Shepherd, or my debut album, Best Part of Me.
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