Sometimes the Lord puts trials and tribulations in a person’s life in order for him or her to gain something better, but the big picture is usually not seen in the moment of the trial.
Jacob Williams, junior applied theology major, knows exactly how that feels. His hand had to be amputated when he suffered injuries while serving in the military. Williams has been living without a hand for six years.
While in Iraq, his truck drove by eight improvised explosive devices (IEDs) that hit the Humvee, and he suffered injuries to his hand and his neck. The explosion put a 12-inch gap in his neck and shredded his hand.
Williams’s physical recovery took about two years. His spiritual and emotional recovery , on the other hand, lasted twice as long.
He does not let this hinder him from living his life with joy and purpose. He said he wants to use the trial he has gone through to inspire others.
“With my injury, I could have continued to live a life of being angry and bitter,” Williams said. Through his trial, Williams said he learned that God used this incident to bring him back to God.
“I was blessed to be blown up by an IED bomb,” Williams said.
He said he wants to share this truth to both believers and non-believers.
Through this bombing, he said he learned about true forgiveness. Williams said he forgave these men for what they did, and actually started praying for their salvation.
If he did not go through what he went through, Williams said he would never be at the spiritual state he is presently.
“I thank God that these men tried to kill me,” he said.
Williams wants to take his trials and what he is learning in the Bachelor of Applied Theology program to tell others what the Lord has done.
His desire to learn more about the Lord reflects in his involvement in the program. Williams’ professors see his character and his work ethic inside the classroom.
“He is a sincere guy,” said Dr. Greg Cochran, director of the Bachelor of Applied Theology program. Cochran also said Williams never tries to be the center of attention in the classroom and is “kind and jovial.”
But his sincerity and kindness do not stop in the classroom. Williams say he extends his positive character to all people at CBU.
“He is the type of person who always seems to have a word of encouragement for others,” said Timothy Sanford, junior applied theology major and Williams’s close friend.
“He has a positive outlook on life. There is no pretentiousness in him. What you see is what you get. He is a good friend and a good person to know.”
The life of Jacob Williams is a story that can be considered inspiring to those he meets as he continues his journey.
Williams is a man who lives his life with purpose and without limits. His supreme desire is to be used by God and proclaim what he has done through his life wherever the Lord leads him.
