Trouble choosing careers/vocations

[TreeOfLife123]

It can be very difficult to know what career/vocation would be best for me or what I’m being called for. Sometimes I feel like I’m called for certain things but then it seems not to be the case.

I want my service to others to be spiritual. And I want that spirituality to be Catholic Christianity. I don’t think I need a career or vocation for that but it would be nice if I knew what my options are for actual vocations.

Part of the trouble is that I don’t know how comfortable I would be doing non-spiritual work. Or where the work isn’t part of the Catholic Church. I think I wouldn’t do so well with that.

So what are all of my options for spiritual work and in the Catholic Church?

 

[josephback]

It can be very difficult to know what career/vocation would be best for me or what I’m being called for. Sometimes I feel like I’m called for certain things but then it seems not to be the case.

I want my service to others to be spiritual. And I want that spirituality to be Catholic Christianity. I don’t think I need a career or vocation for that but it would be nice if I knew what my options are for actual vocations.

Part of the trouble is that I don’t know how comfortable I would be doing non-spiritual work. Or where the work isn’t part of the Catholic Church. I think I wouldn’t do so well with that.

So what are all of my options for spiritual work and in the Catholic Church?

Depends. Are you a man or woman? That’ll have a bearing, since men can’t be nuns and women can’t be priests. There’s always social work or apologetics, which are equal opportunity. Above all pray about it.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

What are your specific interests as far as education, training and work? God will use them.

 

[lifeandhope]

Part of the trouble is that I don’t know how comfortable I would be doing non-spiritual work. Or where the work isn’t part of the Catholic Church. I think I wouldn’t do so well with that.

So what are all of my options for spiritual work and in the Catholic Church?

I believe that ALL work is spiritual work. My husband is a law enforcement officer. He has great influence over those with whom he works and people respect and learn from him. I worked at a secular agency as a psychotherapist and had many, many opportunities to show God’s love for others. I worked with the “least of these”, giving them psychotherapeutic services they could have never have afforded otherwise. I had quite a few Christian clients and was able to integrate spirituality into therapy as often as the client desired.

I’m not saying that you should not have a ministry-type vocation, but I used to think I had to be ‘in ministry’ in order to be doing work for the Lord. I have learned otherwise and have been happy to serve my God in whatever setting He places me. I empathize with your position though; I know I am called to be a therapist, but I’m at a point that I don’t know where to work, whether to seek employment somewhere, go into private practice, write the book I’ve considered writing…so please pray for me too. I don’t know what to be when I grow up!