Okay God, I'm here - now what?

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RockinReptile

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I’m a female catholic convert, recently baptized into the faith during the pandemic. I was previously a pagan, ( wow- I almost feel embarrassed even mentioning that because I look back and think “how could I allow myself to believe that garbage?”), that has come into the Catholic church upon God’s grace and mercy. He allowed me to encounter Him, undeservingly I must add - ( because i was really doing some stupid stuff back then).

Anyways, it’s been 3 months since my Baptism - and now I’m…I’m literally like, “okay God, I’m in your church, NOW what do you want of me??” The one clear and obvious vocation for me, is marriage, which I plan on marrying my partner of 6 years now in the near future. But I mean… besides that? Charity? A quiet life of prayer? Creating a group of catholics to do some foot work outside the church? Like… ------- How do you discern God’s will for you? I’ve been praying, believe me I’ve been praying, knocking at that door, and sometimes even screamin’ at the clouds (lol) but… haven’t received an answer yet.

Any advice on discerning God’s will for you? How did ((you)) find His will?

I guess I’ll add some context - before my conversion, I was a fine art photographer, that photographed fine art nudes. I have literally built not only my social life around this- but also my career goals. Intended on making books, submitting into galleries, etc. Since my official coming into the church, I’ve left everything - EVERYTHING behind. I left everyone i knew without notice or explanation, all my work and edits are now gone. Hope this makes it a little more clear on why I sometimes ‘scream at the clouds’ for answers lol.

[[Edit]] I’ve received the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation
 
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Patience, grasshopper. 😁

3 months is nothing in God’s eyes. You are still settling in as a Catholic. Now is the time to learn to be the best one you can – which means being the best human being you can.
Watch for the daily opportunities to grow in prayer.
To show God’s love to others in concrete ways. To learn the great riches of the Church’s history and doctrine. Read the lives of a variety of saints, both ancient and modern. Explore various devotions. Get you feet firmly planted. God’s plans for us normally become clear little by little, step by step, day by day.

Patience. All in God’s time.
 
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By praying, and taking it one step at a time. I was told to go ahead and do what seemed best to me, and that God would close or open doors as he thought best.
Artistic photography seems fine to me, if that’s what you enjoy. As long as the art is not inciting others to sin. Run it by your priest if you are concerned. Consider Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel.

Our job is not to do something, necessarily, but to become who God wants us to be.
 
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You mentioned baptism. If you haven’t received other sacraments, like Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation, you could prepare for those, with help from your parish. [edit: I see the clarification at the end of your original post.]

You may not get something like a five year plan from God. It’s great if you do, but without it, there are many things you can do to grow in faith. Attend Mass regularly, pray, read from the Bible. See if your parish has adult faith formation programs based on the Catechism, Bible study group (or, for example, Sunday Scriptures discussion group), prayer groups, or groups to do charitable works in your community.

In everyday life, you can be a good influence on those around you, proclaiming the Gospel not just by words, but by your love, good works, and joy. This is a very important vocation for each of us.
 
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It is a personal thing but, among the human virtues, I love concreteness so much.

It is so rare, even among believers.

It serves to pull people out of hyperuranium, and leads us to love Jesus here and now.

And you have it! Added to prayer, I think you’ll do just fine.
 
RockinReptile said:
How do you discern God’s will for you? I’ve been praying, believe me I’ve been praying, knocking at that door
Click to expand...
Every saint accepts and loves his or her own person and position in life, sanctifying and fulfilling it according to the real possibilities that are given. The servant serves. The worker works. The parent nurtures. The ruler rules. The preacher preaches. The teacher teaches. The scholar inquires. The student studies. The producer produces. The artist creates. Each one does his own thing, according to his or her own talents and gifts - for the glory of God and the good of the other.
 
@ReaderT stated my thoughts eloquently. Start by fulfilling your state in life to the best of your ability. Accomplish this well and more will be revealed.
 
There is not an absolute moral prohibition against nude art. There are serious moral considerations when determining the acceptability of nude art. I assume that you gave due consideration to your decision.
 
Right… that’s what I thought. I mean, GOD did create the body. AND He looked upon His creation and saw that it was good. With my nude art, I was trying to encapsulate that very beauty; God’s creation. Not an object of lust, perversion. I photographed natural bodies, unaltered by cosmetic surgery. This was a strong rule when it came to the work, it was to encourage others to feel beautiful and also accept how God made them.

I…I left because well, I couldn’t really find anything on the subject that gave clear answers on whether or not it was acceptable :confused:
 
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I set it all down because there was no black and white on the subject, that I could find anyway
 
I don’t think it’s a black and white subject, however, black and white is an interesting format which can give a vintage appearance to your work 😊
 
Ah but therein is the challenge of following Christ: certainly there are things that are black and white but faith in itself is not, and we are not always given black and white answers because to have the answer means we are not always seeking Christ. If you are an artist with God-given talent that you are using in whole and fruitful ways, why would you set the gift God ordained for you aside?

And…clear plans for a vocation to married life does not always lead to married life, no matter how long you’ve been with a partner. Looking to fulfill a vocation means discerning the will of God even if it leads us elsewhere…if you are discerning marriage, you should be discerning other forms of consecrated life.

Also, as others have said…you have just begun. Faith that moves mountains takes time to build and to follow Christ is to walk just beside or behind him, not dragging him along with you as you charge forward.
 
First, congratulations and welcome! I remember having the same question and finally concluded to “just be” for a time and see what happened. God led several opportunities to me within my parish. One was with RCIA and some others where I continue to deepen my Catholic faith. I would say sit back and enjoy being Catholic - God will bring ministries to you if you are seeking.
 
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