By Kendall Smith
To be a “good Southern Baptist” in the ’70s and ’80s required several basic behaviors in addition to genuine faith in Jesus Christ: Attendance at Sunday school, morning worship, Training Union, and evening worship, and playing on a church league sports team.
One other night was included as a bonus: Tuesday night visitation.
I had no problem with the first five “requirements.” But while I faithfully participated in visitation programs, I was uncomfortable knocking on the doors of prospects or recent visitors. Afterward, we’d return to the fellowship hall, and people would tell about these miraculous conversions they’d led, while I sat quietly feeling humiliated. And I made my living selling. What was wrong with me?
Fast forward about 15 years: I’d made a dumb mistake and purchased a business for $2 million. In reality, it was worth around $400,000. For the next 10 years, I lived in a state of panic and despair.
Then we found a visionary who felt he could turn things around. While we were meeting to close the sale of the business, a courier arrived with an overnight envelope. The envelope contained the personal guarantees my wife and I had signed for $2 million. Across the personal guarantee was written, “CANCELED.”
CANCELED. Forgiven. The weight of the debt had been removed. No strings attached. I made zero profit on the sale of the company, but I now had zero debt! I drove home that night thanking God. “Lord, if there is anything I need to learn from this, let me know.”
It was as if His voice spoke from the front seat to me: “You could have worked the rest of your life … and it is conceivable that you could have paid this debt … But you had a sin debt on your life that there was nothing you could do about … and My Son wrote ‘CANCELED’ in His blood.”
I quickly agreed with God. But then He added something uncomfortable: “I want you to tell this story to as many people … especially other business owners, C-suite executives, and business people as you can.”
I responded, “But Lord, it is the American dream for a poor boy to grow up, work hard, buy a business, build it up, and then one day sell it and retire to the beach. It is pretty embarrassing to tell this story.”
“Well … it was embarrassing for My Son to hang naked on the cross for your eternal forgiveness.”
So, now I occasionally drive for Uber. I came to understand that after all those years of feeling inadequate for evangelism, I had a natural story to share with not only business leaders but whoever would listen.
I am still working full-time with my company. (The new owner was kind enough to keep me on.) But after work or on weekends, I log on to my Uber Driver App and see what happens. I like to meet new people and learn about their lives. I have been able to share my story countless times. You have your passenger sort of “captive” for a few minutes, and if the conversation allows, I’ll launch into the details.
One recent day I picked up a senior vice president for Nokia who was visiting for a meeting in Jackson. As a businessman, he was intrigued by my story.
The next call was for a pickup at the Regency Inn Hotel on Highway 80. I figured, correctly, that this would be a prostitute. She eased into the backseat but never said a word. Stayed on her phone the whole time.
God said, “OK, big boy … you like to talk to executives. What are you going to say to her?”
I keep a steno book on my front seat and ask every rider if there is something I can pray for them about the next morning. I’ve never had anyone refuse. As she got out, I interrupted her call to ask if she had a prayer request. “Pray that I can regain custody of my child,” she said.
So, I drive for Uber for the prostitute. I drive for Uber for the Nokia executive. I drive for the poor people who can’t afford a car. And I drive because God told me to.
Kendall Smith is celebrating his 50th anniversary being associated with Barefield Workplace Solutions, serving as president of the Office Products Division. He and his wife are active members of First Baptist Jackson. Kendall is in the editing stage of his fourth book, “From The Loading Dock to President: The Rise and Near Failure of a Mississippi Businessman.”