Strength from Above in the Hour of Trial
Carlos J. Craig | Texas Conference President
In the book of Psalm 27:1 we find these words: “The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom (or of what) shall I be afraid?”
It was mid-August of 1987. I had just relocated from Keene to the Los Angeles Area. I desperately needed employment with a wife and two little ones back in Keene anxiously awaiting the word to join me in Los Angeles.
As I perused the help-wanted section of the local paper there in southern California, suddenly my eyes fell upon the words: “Bilingual Public Relations person wanted for Duarte Nissan; no experience necessary, will train.” I quickly jotted down the address and made my way over to the dealership. It was a Friday morning.
Upon arriving, I sought and encountered the manager and inquired about the position. He tested my English and Spanish, asked a few other questions, then said: “You are a perfect fit for the job!” He brought me some paperwork. I filled it out as quickly as humanly possible and returned it to him. He looked it over, then pushed back from his desk and declared the words I so desired to hear, “I’m ready to offer you the position.” I couldn’t believe it! He added, “The job starts at $3,000 a month. Now back then, that sounded pretty good for a 27-year-old. “Fantastic!” I replied. “When do I start?” “Tomorrow!” was his speedy reply.
My heart sank. The tomorrow was Sabbath! I agreed, shook hands, and walked out of his office and shuffled out to my car. My heart was heavy. I so needed the work, but how could I betray the Lord of my childhood? The next morning, dressed in shirt and tie, I hopped in the car fully intending to begin work at the dealership. As I drove, the Holy Spirit began to wrestle with my errant spirit. My argument was that I would only work there for a short time until something more suitable came my way.
As I drove into the dealership, the Spirit of God made His last plea. I was unable to park. I simply made a U-turn and left. I drove to the nearest Seventh-day Adventists Church and sat there wondering, “Lord, I’m trusting You to come through and bless me!”
As I walked out of church, one of the associate superintendents of education for the Southern California Conference approached me. He introduced himself. “You know my brother,” he said. “You played guitar with him in college.” I told him of my situation and of my need for employment. He said, “I believe the Lord has brought us together! I am needing a 7th and 8th grade teacher at the Long Beach Seventh-day Adventist School. Would you be interested, and could you start on Monday?”
I speedily and gratefully accepted, and the next two years teaching those precious kids were what I refer to as the most developmental years of my 30 years of ministry! God not only gave strength to pass the trial, but He rewarded me allowing me to serve Him and invest in the lives of those kids!
Praise God for His abiding and enabling power to overcome!
A version of this article is featured in the Southwestern Union Record March/April 2019 issue. You can find the publication online at issuu.com/swurecord.
This is the God who works in favor of the faithful. Marvelous. The author’s experience with God greatly touched my heart. Bless His holy name.