God Can Use It

This Veteran’s Day, take some time to honor and celebrate our service members who have sacrificed so much for our freedom. Tim Lee, a Vietnam veteran, has an incredible story—it is evident that the Lord has worked in his life. Tim was raised in a Christian home. His father was a pastor, and he gave his life to Christ at 10 years old, but as a teenager, he strayed away from the faith. As a young adult, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to serve in Vietnam.

On March 8, 1971, on a mine sweep with his men, and Tim stepped on a landmine. He lost both of his legs. At that point in his life, Tim had made God so many promises, but that day, he seriously meant what he said.

“’God, if you'll let me live and get me back home to mom and dad, I'll do with my life what you want me to do.’ And so, I made so many promises to God on so many occasions, but that day, it was real. It stuck.”—Tim Lee

God spared Tim’s life. He heard the prayer of Tim’s best friend, the prayers of his parents, and the prayers of many other people that were praying for him during his time in Vietnam. Tim spent the next eight months undergoing surgery after surgery. During his time in the hospital, Tim was surrounded by bitter Marines whose outlook on life was bleak. One day, Tim had had enough. He sat up in his bed and out loud, declared that he didn’t want to be bitter or angry.

One day, Tim received particularly bad news about his health, and he had to make a choice: trust God or wallow in his grief. Tim recounts a phone call with his parents from that day that he will never forget. The events that followed were miraculous.

“And I told my mom and dad what the nurse said, what the doctor said, and now they're both crying. I'll never ever forget what my dad said after I told him that. My dad said, ‘Son, we’re going to have to trust God.’ And I confess to you at that moment, that was the most difficult thing for me to do.”—Tim Lee

Kristy asked Tim how the Lord worked in his heart through such a painful season. God changed Tim’s life and shifted his calling. He found a new calling in ministry and began sharing the Gospel all around the world.

As followers of Christ, we are called to love God, serve Him, and share the Gospel, no matter our vocation or job. We can do this in whatever sphere of influence He has given us.

“And so, God spared my life for a reason and a purpose. But God has a reason and a purpose for everyone's life. It's just that we have to find that will for our life, whatever it is that God wants us to do.”—Tim Lee

Please pray for Tim Lee as he shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a hurting world. If you’d like to keep up to date with more stories from On the Ground, please visit samaritanspurse.org.