Today many seek fulfillment and happiness through ‘doing their own thing’. It’s what I want that matters. They believe that happiness lies in having no commitments, no one to answer to, no one whose needs or problems will ever tie us down.
It is, of course, good and necessary to find and do that which deep down we feel we are called to do. Nevertheless, human nature being what it is, we have to be on our guard. There can be a lot of selfishness in the “do your own thing” approach. It often means taking the easiest path in the belief that this is where freedom and happiness lie. But this approach is more likely to lead to slavery and unhappiness.
Here is an important truth: freedom, happiness, and fulfillment are more likely to be found in the acceptance of duty. However, for this to happen, a grim acceptance of duty is not good enough. It has to be a loving acceptance of duty. The more difficult the task to which we devote ourselves out of love, the more it will exalt us.
In this Mary gives us a great example. She didn’t say to the angel, ‘Sorry, but I have my own plans. I want to do my own thing.’ She said, ‘It’s not what I want, but what God wants that matters. Let what God wants be done to me.’
Mary made a complete gift of herself to God, and accepted the task he gave her. Even though she didn’t understand all the implications of it, she trusted that God would give her all the help she needed.
In effect she was saying, “I don’t know what all this means, but I trust that good things will happen.” She trusted so deeply in God that she was open to all possibilities. She gave up control over her future and let God define her life.
Life imposes a lot of duties on us. Besides duties to ourselves, there are duties to others, and duties to God. Where would the world be if everyone just thought of themselves, and insisted on doing their own thing, seeking their own freedom, happiness, and fulfillment independent of others and of God?
Those who accept duty as Mary did, may not find happiness and fulfillment in the eyes of the world, but they certainly will find it in eyes of God. And deep down they will know it.
The greatest grace in life is when what we have to do is what we want to do.