George Washington Carver was born the son of a slave during the Civil War. By the time of his death on January 5, 1943, this orphaned boy had become an internationally renowned chemist who discovered over 300 uses for the peanut in addition to hundreds of uses for many other southern crops. Many historians credit Carver for helping turn southern agriculture around after the Civil War. Through the Tuskegee Institute, Carver educated southern farmers about the need to grow plants like peanuts and sweet potatoes to help restore vital nutrients to the soil, which had been lost through years of cotton growth. In the 1930s, the dreaded disease of polio was crippling and paralyzing America. Dr. Carver developed a massage therapy using peanut oil, which proved to help many people suffering from polio recover the use of their legs. Carver was truly a gifted scientist and educator. What you may not know about George Washington Carver is that he was also a born-again believer who credited his Creator for all of his discoveries and successes.
In the book, George Washington Carver: His Life and Faith in His Own Words, by William J. Federer, Carver recalls:
Years ago I went into my laboratory and said, “Dear Mr. Creator, please tell me what the universe was made for?” The Great Creator answered, ‘”You want to know too much for that little mind of yours. Ask for something more your size, little man.” Then I asked, “Please, Mr. Creator, tell me what man was made for.” Again the Great Creator replied, “You are still asking too much. Cut down on the extent and improve the intent.” So then I asked, “Please, Mr. Creator, will you tell me why the peanut was made?” “What do you want to know about the peanut?” And then the Great Creator taught me to take the peanut apart and put it together again.
Standing before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee in Washington D.C., in 1921, the Committee Chairman asked, “Dr. Carver, how did you learn all of these things?” Carver answered, “From an old book.” “What book?” asked the Chairman. Carver replied, “The Bible.” The Chairman inquired, “Does the Bible tell about peanuts?” “No, Sir,” Dr. Carver replied, “but it tells about the God who made the peanut. I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did.’”
George Washington Carver is an inspiration to every believer. He was a man who walked humbly before both God and man and who allowed himself to be used mightily for God’s Kingdom. We thank God for providing us with such godly examples of Kingdom believers who changed the world forever with the help of our God!
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