Dirt poor and illiterate, Lewis Williams had no idea the course his life would take when he asked Christ into his heart. It was the late 1700s and neighbors knew something was different –Christ brought a complete change in Lewis.
His newfound faith led him to a Methodist church in Wales where he was asked, “If Jesus Christ asked you to do some work for Him, would you do it?”
Williams, twenty-four years old answered, “Oh yes, whatever Jesus required of me I would do at once.”
While many have uttered similar words, Williams actually meant it.
A few years later the Lord put into Williams’ heart a love for boys in his village, who much like he had been before Christ, needed love and knowledge. Sunday School seemed the perfect instrument to teach the Gospel along with reading and writing. Without hesitation, Williams began a weeknight school where he started preparing boys to read by teaching the Welsh alphabet.
This story would resemble thousand of other successful Sunday School testimonials, except for one thing…
Lewis Williams could not read.
Not a lick or letter. Nor could he write.
Yet, God placed an undeniable love in his heart to reach ragamuffin teenage boys who needed to learn to read and write. He did not know how, but said he would do whatever Jesus required at once. And, he did it by jumping in wholeheartedly.
Teaching the boys at night, Williams was being taught during the day. Staying just a lesson ahead of his students, Williams poured all he knew into them. When a visiting minister and school master met with him, he was amazed at the humbleness of Williams’ yielded heart to Christ – and God’s mighty hand on his life. The educated scholar sent Williams to an area school for three months to learn to read.
Lewis Williams went on to open schools during his lifetime and even became a preacher. All with just three months of formal education. Let me restate that, all through the power of God equipping him as he needed it.
Williams trusted in God’s call upon his life, even if the road was hard and unknown. How often do we sense the Holy Spirit’s leading and quickly shut it down because of obstacles we see in the way?
What if we saw only God’s calling and not the obstacles?
What if instead of saying ‘but Lord, I don’t know how’ we answered ‘whatever you require of me Jesus I will do at once?’
“Is your relationship with God sufficient for you to expect Him to exhibit His wonderful life in you…If we really believed that God meant what He said, just imagine what we would be like! Do I really dare to let God be to me all that He says He will be!” ~ Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Updated Edition
Lewis Williams dared.
He allowed God to be all He said He would be in his life–and He was faithful. Praise the Lord!
From stay-at-home mom to corporate CEO, each of us can lay our lives at the feet of Jesus and still say today, “whatever you require of me.” We may not be equipped according to the world’s standards to the calling, but rest assured, He will build our faith and provide everything we have need of along the way.
“The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24
About Kellie Renfroe
Kellie and her husband Greg have been married 32 years and have four children ranging in age from 17 to 28. She co-founded Mentoring Moments for Christian Women in 2005. Kellie is a homeschooling mom who enjoys reading, studying the Bible, writing, photography, and learning how to cook.
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