On August 21, 1883 a F5 tornado ripped through the city of Rochester, Minnesota, killing 37 people and injuring over 200. Due to not having a hospital, a meeting room in a downtown commercial building was transformed into a hospital to treat those who were injured. Dr. Stan William Mayo and his two sons took charge of treating those who were injured. Soon thereafter, realizing the need for a hospital, Dr Mayo, his sons, along with the “Sisters of Saint Frances,” banded together to form St. Mary’s Hospital, known today as “The Mayo Clinic”. The clinic is annually recognized as one of the best hospitals in America. Thousands of lives have been saved, and countless others have been spared long, difficult sicknesses as a result of the research and treatment by the Mayo Clinic. Dr. William Mayo was an outspoken agnostic who never embraced Christianity. In spite of his unbelief, God worked thru him to touch the lives of countless millions. God can and will use anyone He chooses to use, both believers and unbelievers. Many of us go about living our lives according to our own decisions and desires, but God is in control. He will accomplish His sovereign will through whomever and whatever means He chooses.
“The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Proverbs 16:4).
Scroll thru the pages of the Old Testament and read how God used wicked kings, a witch, and a talking donkey to fulfill His plans! He also used imperfect men and women who did believe in Him, but also failed Him often. Jacob was a liar, Gideon was a coward, Moses was a murderer, Rahab was a prostitute, Esther was an orphan, and David was an adulterer. If God can use imperfect believers, wicked kings, agnostics, witches, and animals, surely He can use you and me! However, it is so much more rewarding to willingly give ourselves to Him to use as He sees fit. How can God use you during this very difficult time in history? Will you sincerely pray today for God to use you in any way He sees fit?
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Tim 2:20-21).
“I’ve a yearning in my heart
That cannot be denied;
It’s a longing that has never
Yet been satisfied.
I want the world to know
The One Who loves them so;
Like a flame it’s burning deep inside.
To be used of God, to sing, to speak, to pray;
To be used of God to show someone the way.
I long so much to feel the touch
Of His consuming fire;
To be used of God is my desire.”
(Lyrics written by Audrey Mieir)