The President and CEO of the Methodist Hospital Research Institute is Dr. Mauro Farrari. He speaks with a slightly heavy european accent, wears a gentle and approachable smile and has tried to convince many audiences as he speaks, that he is a native Texas as proof in his good looking black cowboy boots. He is a humble man whose scientific mind of brilliance is very easily recognized through conversation, not to mention the awards and journals that he has contributed to. Dr. Ferrari’s career research and development portfolio totals over $50 million. He is one of the most well-known experts in leveraging nanotechnology ( a word I still have yet to comprehend) to treat and diagnose cancer, and he has chosen the Methodist Research Institute the place to hang his hat.
I tell you this because as smart and humble as this man is, as many accolades as he has received, and as prominent a position he holds in the international medical world, there is a side to him that may be overlooked and understated. I asked two questions in our meeting, the first was where do collaboration and competition meet regarding the many collaborative efforts that the Methodist Research institute is involved in. His answer referenced a sporting activity. In summary he said, You can practice and practice but it is in the scrimmages that your skills are truly tested. Healthy competition is beneficial to all patients because the goal and the passion coincide to make efforts to produce a cure. As it is with us as Christians, we can know the word of God but until we get out on the field and scrimmage with daily adversities, we truly do not know how faithful and strong we really are in the Lord. It is when our goal to know the Lord and our passion to actively follow the Lord coincide that God displays his victory and glory through us. It is through testing that God helps us to better define our weaknesses and our strengths, and helps us to achieve a healthy balance for his purposes.
My second question was: Methodist is a faith based hospital, so where does prayer fit into your world of expertise. He smiled, sat back in his chair and said: "I am so glad you asked me that question." I pray every morning and night and believe in the power and oversight of Jesus Christ. He expounded on the topic of prayer for a short time and ended by saying that being a part of a hospital system that integrates faith into the very essence of the goal of healing allows great freedom.
When the meting was over, I thanked him and he asked,"can I tell you a story?" I was all ears. He was at a speaking event a couple of weeks ago in Italy and he was to be the third scientist to speak. He had just visited with with priest and said he was "under the influence” of their conversation as he sat and waited for his spot at the podium. When he finally stepped up, he knew that God has nudged him to be different. So instead of a posted agenda, he turned his whole talk into a prayer; glorifying God for the opportunities he has brought forth to help people, for the gifts and talents and minds that he has given to pursue of goals to overcome disease, etc. I don’t remember how long he said the talk was, and I am not too sure I am conveying this message appropriately, but when the lights were brought up, he realized that he had connected with His audience by noticing that there were many who had been touched to tears by his prayer.
This is an example of how God is integrating himself into our world. He takes one person, and places them into an arena of his choosing and magnifies his name and his power through the words and dedication of one man at a time. When we exude humility, and make a simple effort to convey God's message of hope, of confidence, love and grace; we do so through our own style, with our own compassion, but it is God who instills in us the passion to use the gifts that he alone has given and developed. Dr. Farrari’s story was a reminder to me that you don’t have to be the smartest, though he may very well be one of the best in the medical field, you just have to step out in what you know and trust God to touch the hearts of the folks who see and hear his message through your life and your words of encouragement and truth.
Psalm 73:28
But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
We are blessed in this city to have a congregate of the world’s finest doctors. But to know that this one is riding on the winds of the power of Jesus Christ and passing his faith along to others without hesitation and resignation just lights up my heart. He was a beacon of God’s glory for me yesterday as I heard him speak of his passion for helping people. God has given him a scientific mind of excellence and he is using it for the benefit and welfare of others. Isn’t that what we are all called to do?
Dear Lord, Thank you for the blessing of being able to see you work within the heart of a doctor in an industry that I am only familiar with on the patient side. May all those who believe in your majesty, your power and your grace, no matter what craft they may have or what industry they are immersed in, be bold enough to make the stand for you without reservation. May we all be willing to live faithfully by your word and be “different” than the worldly audience may expect. May you continue to reveal yourself, your power, your wisdom and your guidance to all of us, and help us be so convicted in our faith that we cannot help but share it and incorporate it in our daily walk. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!
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