A few years ago a Christian composer wrote the lyrics to the song “He Knows My Name”.  The words grab for our attention, shouting with affirmation that God really does care!  At some time, most of us have or will experience a season where we are spiritually down, but when we let these words become a part of us, we will move through each day with a better feeling towards our self.

It was Saturday in East Los Angeles; I was 34 years old and life was good. I was in my office placing the finishing touches on Sunday’s sermon when, unannounced, my dear friend Sam walked in. Sam was our faithful bus driver who for 20 years picked up small children throughout a drug-infested area of East Los Angeles. Each Sunday he and his female assistant would go out armed with washcloths, soap, donuts and orange juice, prepared for almost any circumstance. For Sam, this was more than a responsibility; it was his passion.

This morning, however, it seemed Sam had lost his zeal. Without greeting, he said, “Pastor, God no longer cares for me. I’ve given Him my life and He’s offered back nothing in return.  My wife is an invalid, and for me to just be here I had to pay someone to sit with her. On Sundays, when I do my bus route, I pay a sitter to stay with her. I’ve lived this way for over 20 years and I’m Just tired!”  Sam started crying and, between tears, he said, “I won’t be here tomorrow; you’ll have to get another driver.” 

I was silent for a moment, then asked, “Where are you going Sam?” He started crying, again saying, “I have no idea, but I’m out of here.” As he was leaving, I asked when he thought he would return.  He replied, “I don’t know” and was gone. This was truly a sad moment for both of us. I was witnessing how satan, during a weak moment, can manipulate our minds.

I had just read a similar situation take place in the Bible about a man named Elijah, who was on Mount Carmel.  He had just called fire down from heaven but, in a moment’s time, he caved under the circumstances and ran away from the greatest victory in his life.  The interesting thing about both stories was that God had already prepared their replacements.

Sunday came and passed almost without incident. The bus picked up the children and delivered them home safely. Overall, the day went smoothly.  This never ceases to amaze me! Over and again, I’ve watched as God’s plan advances, even when conditions seem almost impossible.

So, I’ve come to this conclusion: Great churches may crumble, and strong leaders might stumble, but Gods plan will succeed! This should not be taken personally, but as a reminder that we need God much more than He needs us!

Two days had passed and there was no sign of Sam. His wife said she had not heard from him since leaving. Then Tuesday morning came; my office door swung open and there stood Sam. Almost shouting, he said, “God loves me, pastor! Can we talk?”  I had been agonizing over him for almost three days and he wanted to know if I had time to speak!

From there, he began to unfold “a God story” of how much God loves and cares for each of us. He began saying, “Pastor, when I left Saturday, it was the lowest time of my life.  I left without any sense of direction, driving until around 1 am. I was getting low on gasoline, so I pulled into the first station I saw open. I was so confused, I didn’t even know what city I was in. When the station’s attendant came out, I asked him to fill it up.

As he was cleaning my windshield, I noticed that his eyes stayed fixed on me. When I started to pay, he asked, “Sir, is your name Samuel ————?” I responded it was. The young man started crying, sharing his story. “When I was six years old my parents moved to East Los Angeles. I didn’t know anyone my age, so my friends became the children I met on the Sunday School bus you drove.  Every Sunday the bus would pick me up offering orange juice and donuts. One Sunday I asked Jesus into my heart. I didn’t understand everything, but I knew it was the right thing for me to do. From that day forward my life changed. Today I’m married, with two wonderful children, and I serve as a bi-vocational pastor in this city.”

Coincidental? I don’t think so. Sam had traveled approximately 225 miles to the community of Tehachapi.  There, he randomly stopped at a station where the attendant accepted Jesus Christ’s at the age of six because Sam picked him up on a church bus in East Los Angeles!  Also, without his awareness, this young pastor was being used by God to help direct his old mentor back to his passion of busing small children to church in East Los Angeles!

The next time you’re feeling down, ask God to bring to your remembrance the extreme measures Jesus took to make Sam feel significant again!