Bright, focused Elizabeth Blackwell wanted to be a doctor. She believed she would make a good physician, but no one shared her views.

In 1844, Elizabeth applied to 29 medical schools. All rejected her. Still, she persisted, until finally, Geneva College accepted her. But when Elizabeth arrived for classes, Geneva staff were stunned. They had assumed she was male! They told her to leave. She refused.

Her fellow students would not work with her. Townspeople crossed the street rather than speak with her. She ate her meals alone. Yet she was driven to succeed.

In 1849, Elizabeth graduated at the top of her class as America’s first female licensed physician. But hospitals in the U.S. and Europe ostracized her, forbidding her to treat patients.

So she went to New York City, where she founded a clinic for poor immigrants. She also helped organize the U.S. Sanitary Commission during the Civil War — though no women served on the board — and opened a medical school for women.

Elizabeth had a burning passion for helping. She paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps. Likewise, the disciples in today’s verse experienced a burning passion for sharing the new things about the Bible they had learned from Jesus. When you are filled with such enthusiasm, you too can change the world.