Drive Driver, Drive!

You know, getting to work on time is not just a good idea, it is a legal requirement; a Christian thing to do.
It is Monday morning, and following a weekend of rich spiritual renewal, I’m determined to get to work on time. I’m travelling from out of parish and I’m using the public transportation system. And did I mention that I’m slightly behind schedule?

No sooner than I get to the taxi park, and I am ushered into a taxi that dishearteningly has three rows of seats. That usually means a longer time for it to be filled and ready to move. But the driver is relentless in getting a load and makes good ground. My heart lightens a bit; I may yet make it to work on time.

Well, he’s filled, and we’re off! And boy, are we going fast; showing little regard for the speed limit. I don’t mind, because that will certainly help me get to work on time. He overtakes where there are no broken lines. And even where the traffic ahead is snaking along like a freight train, he drives as if we’re on a four lane highway. My heart pulsates with both fear and the glorious anticipation of getting to my destination on time.
As we near our destination, he pulls over along the road to let his first passenger off; and in the process, an accident occurs behind us. Now while he was obviously not legally responsible, I believe he shares some of the moral blame for the accident. You see, where he stopped in proximity to where a fellow taxi operator had stopped to also let off a passenger, made it difficult for the other driver to have safely moved off. But as is seemingly the nature of most taxi operators, the other driver showed little patience in waiting until it was safe to move off and so ended up in the side of a private commuter’s car. The Police, who were already on the road, were quick on the scene.


As we drive off I sighed with thankful relief that it wasn’t my driver who was in an accident – too bad for those other persons who will likely be late for work; I am gladly on my way again.

But as the story turned out, I arrived late anyway – even after violating my Christian sensibilities. This meant that I had to stay behind as many minutes after 5:00 p.m. as I had arrived after 8:00 a.m., or shorten my lunch period. But then again, getting to work late isn’t the agreement I made (that must change; I must get there at the time agreed on).

Reflections:

As I processed in my mind while in transit, how I’d write about this experience, it bothered me a bit… (okay more than a bit) that the driver and I fellowship with the same congregation weekly. And here I was, silently cheering him along as he broke the law and defied ethics. Of all people, we should know better.

Resolutions:

1. I will remain determined to arrive at work on time. This may only mean starting my days earlier.
2. I will be more mindful of moral implications of my activities in meeting my targets at work, and in life.
3. I will endeavour to always keep the bigger picture in mind, appreciating that as a Christian, God expects me to always abide by the rules, and that I must be sensitive to those around me (co-workers, stakeholders and customers). My Christian principles must define my work ethic.
4. And while I’m at work, having pledged and getting paid to execute specific activities, I must take the initiative to be organized and productive. I will set and achieve my daily targets that include getting to work on time.

I will inform my team members and co-workers, where necessary, of my work schedule so that they will not be unduly put out by my work routine.
I am determined to be a model worker.