The back of the bus
- At October 05, 2013
- By Nathan
- In Career & Life Planning
- 0
So I am sitting on this bus, a big city bus, bouncing along from one lonely and depressing street to another. And slowly my bus begins to fill up.
A Hispanic man, probably in his mid-thirties, sits down across from me and quickly becomes preoccupied with his smartphone. It’s just another day. And this is texting time for him, I guess. But what else is there to do on this city bus? We sort of acknowledge each other’s existence, but try to avoid making eye contact. You know how it is. Awkward.
He looks down and I look up and away – off into the distance. There is always more concrete coming. And more of this and that and the other thing. It never seems to end.
Longing for another place inspires many to change their own
Two strangers on a big city bus.
Then, two English girls step inside and make their way to the back. They are both Caucasian and have shoulder-length hair. One is wearing dark sun glasses. Sitting down, they carry on a lively conversation and speak loud enough for everyone to hear. A little too loud. Sounds like they are good friends.
I’m not used to hearing English and almost feel guilty being able to understand what they are saying. Especially since they are talking about relationships and men and sex – right there on the bus. Mostly it’s about relationships gone bad, guys bothering them on Facebook, dates that didn’t work out, and other disappointments. The usually stuff.
Faithfulness is a foreign concept. As far as I can tell, the main point is to communicate that they are still desirable and available. It’s too bad that they struggle with their weight. Maybe, deep down, they feel like no one will ever really care. For them. Just as they are.
People continue to pour in as the bus plods along, and soon all the seats are taken.
A young girl of African descent is sitting next to me talking to her phone. I’m mean, really talking to her phone. She must have a FaceTime feature or something, although I’m not up on all these things. Once again, I can’t help but overhear the conversation. At least her side of the story.
She comes across as being happy and hopeful and confident. I hear about her plans to go back to school. Working at the restaurant will have to end then. Not enough time. She is thinking ahead. And I get the impression that she is careful with her money. She is able to communicate what she wants and has clear boundaries and goals. I am happy for her. Even though she is a stranger, I really am.
But there also seems to be an aching emptiness in her life. She wakes up and has a smoke. Goes to work and comes back home. Has another smoke and goes to bed. And that is about it. This happens over and over again. And for what purpose? Is there a purpose?
Is there more to life than this? seems to be the unspoken question. Later on, I wonder if she has ever read Ecclesiastes. Such an encouraging book in an odd sort of way.
The bus is moving faster now, and I am beginning to wish that this journey would end. I want to get off and get away and go home. To my true home. Yes, I mean heaven. It’s all broken here – in this town and in this life, in some way. It’s like this everywhere I go.
The next big city bus ride isn’t much better. The lady standing in line behind me had too much to drink and isn’t allowed to make the trip. This has happened before. And then, there’s the guy with the gun. Thankfully, they found it before he got on.
And so it goes. This time, I sit as close to the front as I can.
© Career & Life Direction 2013. All rights reserved.
Robert’s life direction
- At April 30, 2012
- By Nathan
- In Meeting Needs
- 0
Purpose. Focus. Energy. Direction. People tend to pick up speed when they are moving towards a clear destination – when they are going somewhere that matters.
His household buzzes with activity as he sits down to grab a quick lunch on his front porch in Lennoxville, Quebec. It is a warm summer day. Sure enough, the phone rings. This time it is Hulio, the head soccer coach at the University of Sherbrooke and a friend. As the assistant coach of the team, Robert quickly flips into French and talks about the upcoming game against Carlton University in Ottawa.
Read More»Clarity and confusion
- At September 15, 2011
- By Nathan
- In Career Planning
- 1
As you pursue your life purpose, do not be alarmed if from time to time you feel that doing so is completely pointless. Being overwhelmed with a sense of the futility of life – that is, the apparent absurdity of what everyone who has ever lived has done, thought, or said – is actually a positive experience. For this temporary despair will allow you to break out of the mainstream secular bubble, where people pretend that meaning can be perceived without God’s perspective, and finally breathe some fresh air.
Life is meaningless from a merely human perspective and pretending otherwise is, well…just pretending. Living as if God is a million miles away from reality and yet carrying on as if this blog matters or what you plan on doing later in the day makes a bit of difference is bizarre.
Clarifying your career direction, among other things, begins with a recognition that God is the only one who really knows the full point and the purpose of your life and mine. Details will always be lacking; some confusion is to be expected. But having confidence or faith in God will empower you as you seek to gain at least a glimpse of God’s larger purpose for your life.
Armed with a sense of personal direction, you will then be able to manage your own life under God. Rather than letting other people run your life, or wandering blindly trying this and that, you will be able to make decisions more easily and move ahead. No, you will not have all the information you want, but you may find that you do have some of the core and critical information you need. If someone suggests that you really ought consider devoting the next 15 years of your life to becoming a professional polka dancer, you can refer to your mission statement and make an informed decision.
This isn’t to say that your life will now be neat and tidy or safe and secure. But now, instead of dealing day by day with colossal career confusion you can focus your energy on dealing with many other challenges that you are sure to face in your life.
© Career & Life Direction 2011. All rights reserved.