Having Ted Williams Sized Faith

By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard the Ted Williams story. No, not the baseball legend, but the one that has the gift of the golden voice. Here we have a 53-year-old gentleman that got his start as a radio announcer. If you didn’t live in his town, you probably never heard him. Even people that lived IN his town may not have heard of him. Somewhere down the line the he fell victim to the devil’s advocates known as drugs and alcohol.
They tempted him and eventually took control of him. Mr. Williams said in his interview on The Early Show that it was while he was homeless that he found God. He said he got a 2010 date book and was going to write “another wasted year” in the book. He decided not to because that was the year he found God. A 53-year-old man that JUST found God……last year! No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Ted Williams’ story tells me several other things as well. It tells me whether you believe in God or not, God watches over you. It tells me God has a purpose and a plan for your life.(Isaiah 55:8) It tells me God answers prayers. It tells me when God touches YOUR situation; it will blow your mind beyond belief.
Mr. Williams, during his time as a homeless man, had what I call a Wilderness Moment, similar to when Moses led the people out of Egypt (Exodus 14). The Israelites weren’t where they use to be, but hadn’t quite made it to the Promised Land. Obviously, Mr. Williams wasn’t homeless 40 years, but it may have felt like it. He had to have his Wilderness Moment before he got to his Promised Land. How many of you are in or have had YOUR Wilderness Moment? Ted Williams said he thanked God EVERYDAY while he was homeless….Imagine that (Colossians 4:2). He said in his Early Show interview, whether he made $25 or 25 cents, he still made time to talk to and have a relationship with God. In the midst of his struggle, he praised God. (Psalm 34:1)
He says now he is more appreciative of things and won’t take them for granted. I’m sure all of us know a couple people with jobs, a house, cars, food and good health that won’t give God or the Bible 5 minutes, but will give Facebook countless hours. Despite Ted Williams’ situation, he never quit or gave up. He left drugs and alcohol alone and has been clean for two and a half years. He prayed his 92 year old mother (she prayed for him too) would see him rebound and get his life together (Psalm 4:1). Due to his faithfulness, God answered his prayer and has now been blessed more abundantly than ever before. Now he has multi-million dollar businesses giving him job offers like Kraft (already shot the commercial), MSNBC, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been on Early Show, Today Show, Good Morning America, and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I’m sure his mom felt like the father from Luke 15 when the lost son finally returned home. Two weeks ago, most people wouldn’t have given him a quarter or the crumbs from the sandwich they got at their local drive thru….but God!!!! The Bible says He will never leave your or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8)….all we need to do is have the faith of a homeless man!!!!


By Jason H. Richardson