Endless Open Doors

Today, I was reading my "Saint of the Day" e-mail from St. Anthony Messenger Press/American Catholic.org.  It was about an amazing modern day saint, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross  (Edith Stein).  I have heard about her before when studying educational philosphies, I believe.

The part of the e-mail that really struck me was a quote by Pope John Paul II: 

"Your life is not an endless series of open doors! Listen to your heart! Do not stay on the surface but go to the heart of things! And when the time is right, have the courage to decide! The Lord is waiting for you to put your freedom in his good hands."

The phrase "not an endless series of open doors" conjures up a clear and vivid mental image.  Our free will is a tremendous gift from God, and He wants us to give up our entire selves to Him, including our decision making.  The other day, on Relevant Radio, I heard a priest talking about how God never "uses" a person, but longs for our cooperation.  This is what Mary and Joseph did when they agreed to be Jesus' parents.  We are to follow Mary and Joseph's example and put our freedom into God's hands, knowing that when we do so, our decisions will be blessed.