How does one "discern their vocation daily"?

[LotusCarsLtd]

First, I am new to these forums and would like to say hello!

Second, my topic: I currently have little idea what my vocation might be. Now I am only 21, having only started focusing on my faith several years ago, so I realize (in the words of my spiritual director) that I “am a beginner” when it comes to the Faith. I understand that this could take awhile to discern.

I often remember a phrase I heard once that discerning a vocation is something we should do daily. The problem is I am unsure how to do this (other than daily prayer and reading Scripture/religious books).

What would you recommend in this regard? What should I do/focus on/look for/ect.

Pax Tecum.

 

[graceandglory]

Hello LOtusCarsLtd.

Welcome to CAF! I just think your name is funny.

I logged on for a similar reason as you. Only I’m twice your age and am more seasoned in my faith.

"Work out your salvation in fear and trembling."

Can’t give you much more than that, I’m sure you’ll get plenty of good answers here.

I think I’ll start my own thread question on a similar topic.

 

[graceandglory]

Hi LotusCarsLtd,

I see you haven’t gotten any response in this thread.

May I suggest you try again in a different room, perhaps Scripture?

If you are discerning your vocation, a call toward marriage or the consecrated celibate life,

I have always loved what Pope John Paul wrote in his book Love and Responsibility, which is now 50 yrs old, written originally in Polish when he was Karol Wojtyla.

books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=TNRY9HkssDQC&dq=%22love+and+responsibility%22+karol+wojtyla&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=sxYn4ByTvY&sig=sO1rbhyEy2Y_WvO2zMUZ_vHPdww&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA242,M1

In the vision of human existence put forward by the New Testament the interior life of the person is not the sole source of a vocation. An inner need to determine the main direction of one’s development by love encounters an objective call from God. This is the fundamental appeal of the New Testament, embodied in the commandment to love and in the saying “be ye perfect,” a call to self-perfection through love.. This summons is addressed to everyone. It behooves every “man of good will”** to give it concrete meaning, in application to himself, by deciding what is the main direction of his life. “What is my vocation?” means "in what direction should my personality develop, considering what I have in me, what I have to offer, and what others–other people and God–expect of me?"

(all the mark-ups of the passage are my own)

You can read the rest of the passage here, books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=TNRY9HkssDQC&dq=%22love+and+responsibility%22+karol+wojtyla&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=sxYn4ByTvY&sig=sO1rbhyEy2Y_WvO2zMUZ_vHPdww&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA242,M1
at the bottom of page 257.

 

[graceandglory]

What would you recommend in this regard? What should I do/focus on/look for/ect.

I would think one very practical thing to do is to get to know yourself like the Saints did, learn what your personality is.

Some personalities are more suited to living in communities and families than others.

Take a myers-briggs personality test on line, or take a temperament inventory online.

That’s what Pope John Paul suggests I think when he wrote,

"What is my vocation?" means "in what direction should my personality develop, considering what I have in me, what I have to offer, and what others–other people and God–expect of me?"

 

[beckycmarie]

Hi LotusCars,

A friend of mine who is a spiritual director gave me a couple analogies to help me understand discerning God’s will.

The first was, imagine if you were a ship at sea. God can turn the rudder in one direction or the other, but if you just sit there with your engines off, you won’t go anywhere.

He also related a story about walking into a room with three chairs. One chair represents religious life or Holy Orders, another is married life, and the third is single life. The only way to know which chair fits you best is to try out each one. Try the married chair – do things that could lead to marriage, like getting out and dating people. If it doesn’t seem right, try another chair. Do the single thing - if you feel restless in the single chair, then try the religious chair. Just like with dating, you don’t have to take vows the first day - they give you a time period of discernment.

He also says this about identifying a calling:

While one may have an interest, the clue to a calling is more than interest. A calling is a tugging, a drawing toward despite trying to resist it. It is compelling and can become like “an offer you can’t refuse”. God doesn’t put a horse head in your bed, but He sometimes does make dramatic and very convincing arguments.

 

[puzzleannie]

I often remember a phrase I heard once that discerning a vocation is something we should do daily. The problem is I am unsure how to do this (other than daily prayer and reading Scripture/religious books).
.

my first reaction is to assume this means look at my position and duties today, and carry them out to the best of my ability, and in my daily examen, review how well I am living out my vocation as it is today, and look toward tomorrow and the future.

for instance if in this daily review I discover I am constantly having feelings of discontent, of wanting something more challenging, I would use that feeling as a springboard to consider options and directions.