Let's Talk Therese/Ep 2: Does He love me in my weakness?
- Nicole
- Jan 4, 2020
- 3 min read
This is part of an extended series reviewing St Therese of Lisieux' "Way of Trust and Love"
I’ve always struggled with vulnerability and admitting weakness. I would rather be seen as the “strong, independent” type who did not need to depend on anyone. Perhaps that may be an obstacle for many of us too. We would rather depend on our human strength and abilities, instead of surrendering control to Him. Because letting go control is a scary thing. To let go of the steering wheel while the car is moving is risky. To let the plane fly on autopilot is scary. We would rather have a clear idea of our direction and our speed.
Yet, Therese reminds us aptly,
Instead of bearing your poverty as a handicap, an obstacle, accept it and welcome it as a grace.
This was a new way of seeing weakness! Not as something hindering me but rather something that I must accept with humility, to peacefully accept my weakness and inner poverty. For a long time, I was fighting tooth and nail against these imperfections, these defects when He desired for me to turn them over to Him instead. Therese puts it beautifully, for holiness is not a desire for extraordinary perfection, rather it is to go to love’s extremes. Many of us chase after perfection, we want to tick all the boxes and always “have it together”. Such is the lie we believe, that if we can hold everything in delicate balance and seem perfect on the outside, then we will find happiness and satisfaction. Yet, if the pursuit is devoid of love, it proves to be meaningless and hollow. We are just an empty vessel, without the essence of love. Therese recognises this inherent poverty
I can’t do great things, I can’t go off and evangelise, I have no special gifts but I will be love.
Indeed, she reminds us that love is the basis of all vocations. If we are serving in our churches or communities but we do so without the fundamental attitude of love for each other, then our actions do not have any significance. They are outward displays without the right motivations and dispositions. Many of us may fall into this fatigue, where although we may be serving extensively in the church, we start to become jaded and lose that childlike “love” for our fellow brothers and sisters. We feel obliged to serve but we may have lost the deeper desire to serve out of love. Service seems more mechanical than divinely inspired and we run the risk of “doing” instead of “being”.
Many of us feel that we must completely eradicate our weaknesses before we can approach the Lord and that these weaknesses make us less loveable in His eyes. The amazing thing is, He loves us not in spite of our weaknesses but exactly because of them! For did He not say, “My power is made perfect in weakness”. In recognising our fallen nature and inner poverty, we empty ourselves of pride and self-assuredness and adopt the childlike nature that allows us to seek Him in a contrite way. Therese prided herself on remaining childlike in the presence of the Lord, for she was able to approach Him without fear or apprehension.
If we accept our littleness without every becoming discouraged, then our Lord in person will come running to find us and will transform us into a flame of love.
Let’s consider 2 questions in closing,
1. What is an area of weakness/brokenness that you have been struggling with?
2. Why have you found it difficult to accept this area of weakness? Do you fear judgement? Do you feel ashamed?
My reflection is adapted based on the following book, I highly recommend you give it a read!
The Way of Trust and Love: A Retreat Guided by St. Therese of Lisieux
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