The Ballestero Blog

“This Bus Is Going To Chicago”

I often flew out of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport when I lived in South Bend, Indiana. It was about 120 miles away. Many times it was cost-effective for me to take a shuttle bus from the South Bend Airport to the Chicago Airport rather than to drive to Chicago and pay parking.

My wife dropped me off at the Ground Transportation area in the South Bend terminal. I hurriedly picked up my reserved bus ticket.

The waiting area was large and comfortable. I sat where I could see the buses pull up. The bus line originally was called United Limo, and then it later merged with Tri-State Coach and Coach USA. Its company serves Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

I watched as buses with their destinations showing above their windshields began to arrive. I looked for the one that said ‘Chicago’. When it finally pulled up, it was in Lane 2.

I promptly stood up and waited for the announcement over the intercom that it was time to board.

When the bus departure was declared, I hustled outside and presented my suitcase to the Driver. His name tag said ‘Steve.’

“This bus is going to Chicago,” Steve said, verifying I was getting on the right bus.

“Yes sir,” I replied, “That’s where I’m going.

He stowed my suitcase underneath, punched my ticket and I climbed on board.

I settled down for the 2-hour ride to O’Hara. I saw a few others lay their seats back to relax. It looked like a good idea, so I joined them.

About 20 minutes later, I felt the bus swerve onto an off ramp. I curiously looked around wondering what the deal was. They told me this was the Chicago bus and this wasn’t Chicago.

I sat up and waited. The driver looped around behind an old service station/café building and stopped in the front. The air brakes hissed as the Driver announced, “LaPorte”

We sat there a few moments and several more passengers got on board. No one got off. In 5 minutes we were back on the highway again.

Another 20 minutes or so later we again turned off the big four lane and stopped in front of a motel. This time driver said, “Michigan City.” One got off, and one got on.

Once again we were rolling down the road. This time we were on I-94 west bound. We did good for a while, then the driver stopped again. This time, the name he said on the bus intercom was, “Portage.” Four more got on board. No one got off.

I wondered, how many more stops before we get there? I was not surprised when the bus turned off the road again and stopped at Griffith. No one got off there, but 7 or 8 got on board. The bus was pretty full.

The last hour of the ride was non-stop. We finally pulled up to the Bus Parking Area of the Airport’s lower level.

“Chicago,” Steve said. I stood up.  I had made it to my destination. It wasn’t anything I did. It’s what I didn’t do that got me there. I didn’t get off the bus. I stayed on the bus.

I could have gotten off at any of the stops along the way, but I didn’t. That’s why I arrived at my destination. I just stayed on the bus.

I do not believe in individual predestination. I do believe in corporate predestination, however. The Word of God firmly declares, that His Church is predestined for Glory. All you have to do is stay on the bus and since the bus is predestined; you will go where it goes. Just don’t get off this bus.

Some may be tempted to get off the bus along life’s journey. You can if you want too, but you should know, this is the only bus going to Glory. Don’t get off.  Someone else will take your seat if you do.

I don’t care who else gets off, or what the attraction or distraction is, just stay on the bus!

“This Bus Is Going To Chicago!”