Eighteen months ago, I (Wes) was lying in a hospital recovering from a successful third leg bypass surgery in just eight days. I was reflecting on some of the most important relationships in my life when suddenly, Joy and I were given a clear vision from God for ILI’s third book. It would be called Bold Obedience and feature many of our closest friends from around the world who would share very personal moments when they took steps of faith and completely trusted God.
Each week we will feature a new story from the book “Bold Obedience,” beginning with my story. These stories need to be told, and we pray they will inspire boldness in your life and strengthen your faith in God.
This is my story.
Dr. Howard Seeman’s voice jolted me awake as I heard him say to Joy, “Wake him up. I’ll be right back.” A few minutes later he took both of my hands, looked into my eyes with great empathy, and said, “You have colon cancer. It is serious. You need to go directly to see a surgeon.”
My entire body went numb. Only 37 years old and far too young to be checking for colon cancer, the diagnosis was surreal. Just three days earlier, Dr. Seeman and I had played tennis together. I shared about a seemingly small issue, and he said, “Let me run some tests. Don’t worry, it won’t be anything serious.” More tests confirmed I had stage three colon cancer. Leaving the hospital, God clearly spoke a Scripture deep in my heart,
"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay" - Psalm 40:1-2 NASB
Joy and I had been married for twelve years. Hannah and Caleb were eight and six years old. Major surgery was followed by grueling regimens of radiation and chemotherapy. I was weak and struggling.
Each day, I told myself, “Don’t die today. Keep fighting.” At my lowest moment, three friends called me within eighteen hours of each other. Paul Baddour called in the afternoon, Wes Hall called that night, and Polly Poole called the next morning. Without consulting one another, they each spoke the exact same words,
The battle with cancer in my body continued, but my spirit was renewed. Once again, Joy and I began seeking God’s vision for our lives. Just nine short months later, a team of people motivated by a bold obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ consecrated a new organization to equip leaders and spread the Gospel, the International Leadership Institute.
Dare to Ask God to show you His vision for your life and help you take your next step of bold obedience.
Until all worship,
God’s passion for His people can not be extinguished. Do you embody this same passion?