His Power in our Weakness

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

Katherine Hsu was born in 1914 in Fuzhou, South China and she counts herself fortunate for having been raised in a Christian home. From an early age, Hsu wanted to become a doctor. Growing up, she saw the devastating effects of diseases such as typhoid and diphtheria. Then tuberculosis took the life of a younger brother and sister.

Believing that being a doctor was "a great purpose for living," she prayed that God would provide a way, promising to make the practice a ministry without charge to her patients. Soon after that prayer, Hsu won a full scholarship to Peking Union Medical College, one of three applicants accepted. The more she studied the human body, the more she marveled at God's creation and worshipped him.

Because her siblings died from tuberculosis, Hsu made the disease her primary focus. Through the years, the Lord led her to Houston, Texas to establish a clinic in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

Today, her pioneered tuberculosis-prevention strategies are now replicated around the world. "This is not my own achievement, but what God has wrought by his mighty power," Hsu wrote in 1994 after receiving the coveted Distinguished Achievement Award from the 11000-member American Thoracic Society.

True to her word to God, Hsu has not charged a patient in more than 50 years. In addition, Hsu has used all of her medical awards to fund scholarships for students and missionaries. "What you cannot do, God will work out for you," Hsu says. "Then you become an instrument in God's will. That is a great privilege."

It is when we are dependent on the Lord that He can work through us to do great things. Today in prayer, give thanks to the Lord that when we are weak that He is strong and He receives the glory.

"You will never know that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you've got." - Mother Teresa

God's Word: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2004, Devotional E-Mail DEVOTIONS IN 2 CORINTHIANS pkennedy@devotional.com

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