Finding your "Calling"?

[mphill85]

I’ve heard about people who’ve said that they’ve found their “calling”, whether its working their career job, performing volunteer services, or even joining the ministry. How exactly does one find their calling in this life? I thought I had found mine when I joined the USAF because of what I do but now I’m believing that wasn’t the case. I’ve started to think it might actually be in law enforcement after I get out but the same result could happen with the law enforcement as it did with the Air Force? How do I hear or see or understand what I am suppose to do in order to please God?

 

[newcatholicwife]

Hello,
I strongly believe your calling could be found by just one of these factors:
*What your talents are (because they came from God)
*What you are most passionate about
*What makes you feel deeply happy/satisfied
God bless you and I pray you find fullfillment and happiness.

 

[phil_at_dayboro]

Most people,myself included, have no idea which way to go,
Have you thought about being self employed ?
It is the most rewarding lifestyle providing you know what your doing,
Apart from that, their are people with a life plan,
My second son wanted to be a teacher at age 3 ,
He is now 32 and a high school teacher, so I guess he had his calling early,
I never had any calling, struggles most of the way , and came out on topping anyway…
Life is just one big school yard, Things just happen, without you knowing,

 

[elohimrules]

Sometimes also I think of a “calling” as vocation. Reseraching what the church teaches on vocation can give us a sense of mission. For example, vocation can be broader than just what we do for our day job. Some people are called to care for a sick loved one even when they don’t feel like it, this is a difficult vocation. Some people are called to solitary life and service to God, also not always an easy or pleasant vocation. So our vocation or our callings can be fulfilling but not always pleasant. I also think of C.S. Lewis who married Joy and she died of cancer. His vocation was difficult but from it came amazing writing which in turn have helped so many. Just some thoughts…

 

[MainBrain]

I’ve heard about people who’ve said that they’ve found their “calling”, whether its working their career job, performing volunteer services, or even joining the ministry. How exactly does one find their calling in this life? I thought I had found mine when I joined the USAF because of what I do but now I’m believing that wasn’t the case. I’ve started to think it might actually be in law enforcement after I get out but the same result could happen with the law enforcement as it did with the Air Force? How do I hear or see or understand what I am suppose to do in order to please God?

I am TOTALLY DISILLUSIONED when it comes to finding a calling. It might be my fault, or it might not be. All I know, is, I am ending my 53 year not his earth and am going to be 54 soon. None of my “callings” have worked out. But maybe my “calling” is to be a stay at home dad. I really don’t know. I am blessed to be a dad I know that. But not working sure gives me enough time to have an idle mind thus leading to not too good things.

 

[elohimrules]

Well, I also think the “calling” thing has been a little too Oprazised in this country as in if u are not full of bliss all the time somehow u missed ur calling…I think u said right in that you are a parent and find fulfillment in that, trully parenthood is a calling! But don’t knock yourself because of your age, wasnt Moses like 80 or something when he began his ministry?!

 

[mariemargaret]

Your calling can be any number of things; job, volunteer, parenting, lay ministry, etc, etc. The important part about discerning it is to listen to God. You have been given gifts with which to fulfill your calling; pay attention to what your gifts are. Not that this is easy!

I found the book ‘The Purpose Driven Life’ by Rick Warren extremely helpful. Rick Warren is a Christian minister, and the book walks you through steps to help you discern what your purpose is on this earth. The book helps you to figure out what your gifts are and how to go about discerning what God wants you to do with those gifts.

And to make it more interesting, your calling might happen early or later in life. I believe that, in my 40s, I have figured out what my calling is. I could not have known what it was until this time because of recent events in my life. Sooo, keep listening to God and praying about it!

 

[grasscutter]

Actually, if we’re talking about something as basic as the work we do… I think it is so much better if we do what we are good at, rather than what appeals emotionally. Since God gave us all some kind of talent to use, that is what we should pursue. And it is way more satisfying to earn a living being able to do something well and experience success (not necessarily in a huge monetary way) than to fail while we are “following our bliss”.

 

[fide]

I’ve heard about people who’ve said that they’ve found their “calling”, whether its working their career job, performing volunteer services, or even joining the ministry. How exactly does one find their calling in this life? I thought I had found mine when I joined the USAF because of what I do but now I’m believing that wasn’t the case. I’ve started to think it might actually be in law enforcement after I get out but the same result could happen with the law enforcement as it did with the Air Force? How do I hear or see or understand what I am suppose to do in order to please God?

Many times that which we are drawn to - especially if there is a thread of consistency in these callings - can reveal to us our response to a special sensitivity placed in us by the Spirit. That sensitivity can have a first mission of dealing with something in ourselves, and then secondarily, of helping others deal with that same thing.

For example, being drawn to the military, and then to law enforcement, have maybe several “consistencies” or commonalities that might mean something to you. Maybe the virtue of justice. The military and law enforcement seek to preserve and protect justice. Maybe God has given you a special sensitivity to justice. Or maybe the virtue of fortitude against evil and for good. Maybe God has given you a special sensitivity to the presence and danger of evil, and a special strength and courage to confront it, and to protect the innocent from it.

Such speculations on my part might suggest, as a vocation, the vocation to justice, or the vocation to battle against evil and for the good. Such a sensitivity can have a real internal and personal desire for justice, and a strength for battle against evil - and such desire can of course be helpful to the Body as a whole, not just personally and individually. God can give such sensitivities, and gifts, in HIs grace intended for the whole Body the Church - and for the good of the world of humanity.

Sometimes we can find paid work for living our vocations, and sometimes not. St. Paul sometimes worked as a tentmaker - not because it was his vocation, but for money so that he could offer his vocation - to preach the Gospel - for free to people. A vocation is given by God to persons, for them to serve a need for the benefit of others, that the Church might be able to live her vocation as “sacrament” of the presence of Christ in the dark world.

 

[Casilda]

About 15yrs ago I took a kind of aptitude test through a Christian group that was geared to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses. My strength was mercy. I didn’t know what to do with that. But as I got into nursing, I realized I had found my calling, carrying for the elderly.