Willingly Answering God’s Call – Wesley Hall (Acts 26:9)

Sermon Illustration on Answering God’s Call:

Legendary West Indian fast bowler Sir Wesley Hall was a strongly-built, larger than life cricketer who played international cricket between 1958 to 1969. His long run-up, fearsome pace bowling, outstanding personality, and exploits on the cricket field, made him one of the most-loved sportsmen to emerge from the Caribbean. In 48 international test matches, Hall took 192 wickets at an average 26.38 runs per wicket.

Wesley Hall became an unforgettable part of cricket folklore because he bowled the final nail-biting over in the first ever tied test match in the history of cricket between Australia and the West Indies in 1960. The last Australian wicket fell in the last over of the match with Australia needing one run to win. Thus, the scores of both teams finished the same (tied). It was a historic moment in the game of cricket. In that final over, Wesley Hall missed a run out and dropped an easy catch, which all added to the excitement of that final memorable over!

After retiring from the game he loved, Hall served in politics and as an Administrator for West Indies Cricket. He was knighted in 2012.

(For a short podcast on the same illustration click here.)

God’s Call on Sir Wesley Hall:

Wesley Hall’s life was dramatically transformed however after attending a Christian meeting  in 1988 on a trip to Florida. He gave his heart to the Lord that day and eventually answered the call to serve God. After attending Bible College, Hall was later ordained in the Pentecostal Church. He was a much sought after preacher thereafter at Christian gatherings and at funerals – specifically those of West Indian cricketers. 

Similarly, God’s call is specific and personal for each of His children; on you and on me. We don’t have to be a Pastor or a Preacher to answer God’s call. It can be fulfilled in our workplace, our neighborhood, our university, or our school, or wherever He places us.

At his trial before King Agrippa, the Apostle Paul, remembering God’s call on his life through the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, said, “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven” (Acts 26:19). Similarly, when God’s call came to the prophet Isaiah, he responded, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).

Adapted from “Answering The Call” by Paul Akeroyd and from Wikipedia – Wes Hall – https://acscricket.com/?page_id=8417