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