Mother Teresa Said That?

I saw a detailed quote the other day which caught me off guard. Here it is:

“I don’t think there is anyone who needs God’s help and grace as much as I do. Sometimes I feel so helpless and weak. I think that is why God uses me. Because I cannot depend on my own strength, I rely on Him twenty-four hours a day.”

What grabbed my attention was the words weak and uses in the same sentence. If I feel weak can I truly be used well by God? I have a tendency to feel more prepared to do God’s work when I feel robust and energized. When I feel weak I usually don’t feel ready to do work for anyone. This makes me think that I should rethink my approach to being in service to others and ultimately doing work for God. Is *not feeling like it* a good enough reason to shy away from service? Are feelings of inadequacy reasons for letting others do the work?

I will admit I do not step up to say yes to every need I see around me. Oh, I do like to volunteer and have a long list of things I have helped with over the years, but I tend to be selective. Sometimes I say, “No, but thanks for asking.”

HOWEVER….then there is the God nudge. From time to time it is not an event calling for my help, it is God offering an opportunity for service. And if Mother Teresa is any example, it tells me that my efforts matter. In weakness and in strength, my efforts matter. Her words remind me that God can use anyone and everyone in capable and loving ways. When we feel meek or weak or when we feel ready and strong, God sends the Holy Spirit to bear gifts to us that we might bear good gifts to others. The list below brings home the message. I may not feel the gifts of the Spirit every day, but God will grant me abilities according to my willingness as I choose to be in service to others and for the Lord.

We often think of Mother Teresa as the epitome of God’s great servanthood. She states that in her times of weakness she relied on God’s good help to be present for her work and to support the gifts she shared. May it be so for us all.