"If God can work through me, he can work through anyone"

Francis of Assisi’s words display deep humility and a profound trust in divine grace. Rather than elevating himself as an ideal instrument of God, Francis acknowledges his own limitations, weaknesses, or perceived unworthiness. By stating that God can work through him, he suggests that he, like anyone else, carries imperfections or shortcomings. His life, after all, was marked by a deliberate embrace of poverty and a genuine rejection of worldly status, emphasizing his equality with the poorest and most marginalized.

This statement dismantles the notion that spiritual influence is reserved for the holiest, the most learned, or the outwardly perfect. Francis, as a spiritual figure, recognizes that the power and action come not from his own abilities but from the divine working through him. The focus shifts from human capacity to God’s inclusiveness and willingness to act through anyone open to grace, regardless of prior history, social status, or personal flaws.

Embedded in this message is an encouragement for every person. Anyone, no matter their past or how insignificant they may feel, can be an instrument of good. The obstacles of self-doubt or beliefs in inadequacy are challenged, since the divine chooses not based on merit but often through humility and willingness. Francis’ perspective also calls for empathy and an absence of judgment, as no one is inherently more or less suitable to be used for goodness.

The statement also inspires hope. If such transformation and purpose were possible for someone once considered a failure by societal standards, then similar possibilities are available to all. It places the emphasis on willingness, openness, and humility rather than inherent worthiness. Ultimately, the idea there is that anyone's life, however ordinary, can be touched and transformed by grace, and that every person has the potential to become an agent of compassion and positive change.