What should you do if you think God has spoken to you directly?

[LSK]

Yes, but I am only a woman and the people with the power the priests and bishops are all men.The Priests and Bishops are often not receptive. I don’t want to be a priest, so I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t want to be a religious busybody.I have no status, so why should anyone listen to me?

May I point out something?

If anything you ‘feel called to do’ is worth doing it will stand the test of time. The Bishops and priests are often reluctant to simply hand over the reigns of an approved apostolate - such as Director of Catechists or Director of Religious Education for a parish - to a newcomer, someone who is just beginning their education and discernment process, regardless of their gender.

If you want to start an apostolate on the internet I would ask some questions of the folks here, at Catholic Answers. Write to Karl Keating and ask him what he did to start this work, how he sought out help and spiritual guidance, and what he does to safeguard against big-shotism or ego-blaring…I am not saying that is what you are doing but you yourself have expressed some reticience about what you think you are being called to do…ask for and get some guidance.

 

[DRIVING_BEAR]

The first thing you should do is test the sprit that is speaking to you to see if it is of God see

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

 

[evelynicholson]

I started today with a Lenten event in my home. We watched the new film of St Paul (Time Life) and I had refreshments ready and did a sheet of facts and questions and a lectio divina. Everyone enjoyed it and several people thought their faith had been strengthened through watching it. One very old lady spoke the words of scripture with St Paul. It was very exciting as a film and we discussed the spostolate of Paul afterward. Some ‘cradle’ Catholics really loved it and were really moved. I think my mission is to put some fire into the believers, and seeing the terrible persecutions of the early church made them realise how the martyrs paid with their blood. They are all keen to come again on Palm Sunday , when I am showing the Time Life ‘Christ’ and they say they are going to bring more people. Actually watching Paul chatting normally with people made me realise his tremendous gift of his life .Father is coming next time to do the Lectio Divinia. I qualify as a Catechist at the Maryvale Institute, hopefully next month, and would beg the prayers of all those who have advised me in finding the right way to be of service. . Also I noticed in the film , which was brilliantly directed, that Paul said he was afraid, which gave me hope.After prayer, I feel my mission is to do my bit to strengthen the faith among the many who have drifted away from the church, having lost the fire for Christ and bring them back in a gentle way. People are used to exciting television and the moment when St Paul was being lowered out of the walls in a basket almost made my heart stop. Anyway, thank you, all of you.God Bless Evelyn

 

[mr_lamuri]

evelynicholson, I can identify with you. I am the mom of three teenagers, married 21 years. Before I got married, I tried out a religious order that said its charism was evangelization, but all the nuns did at night was watch TV, so I left.
My call to serve God has grown over the years to the point now that I ACHE to serve Jesus full time, not just play a bit part in RCIA or door-to-door evangelization as I do now. What stops me is figuring out how to get started and the big tuition bills for Catholic high school and college tuition for our kids. My hubby does not make enough to pay those bills, so I’ll have to continue working till my 15 year old is out of school. After 26 years in my profession, there is no challege left, so i am restless to do what my heart longs to do.

I have been taking catechism classes, etc to earn a certificate in lay ministry my diocese offers, but I can’t complete because there aren’t enough people to merit forming a formation class for the practicum. I spend a lot of time daydreaming about who I should talk to, what I should do to prepare in the meantime, what ministry I am being called to, etc.

Anyway, I want you to know you are not alone. It is a comfort to me that I am not alone either. I will follow the advice in this thread soon.

Hi Betty, keep dreaming for God. Obviously the Spirit continues to stir the passion of evangelizing within you. I have had a similar experience to Evelyn and yes God spoke to me in his small still voice.

I am usually reserved kind of person and not inclined to evangelizing neither am I good at public speaking but God has a habit of using the weak to lead the strong. Only found God over 2 years ago and by gosh he has got me to do some challenging things. The Church would be on fire if we all were totally daring and open to God in whatever way he wants to use us.

Anyway, on top of the individual/group evangelizing that Christ has done through me I have also developed my own website.
howifoundgod.bravehost.com/
Its my natural tendency of getting out of those challenging personal evangelizing that Christ keeps leading me into. But if I could do it…man anyone can…Just be open to God!!!

Peace,
Louis

 

[lak611]

Hi Betty, keep dreaming for God. Obviously the Spirit continues to stir the passion of evangelizing within you. I have had a similar experience to Evelyn and yes God spoke to me in his small still voice.

I am usually reserved kind of person and not inclined to evangelizing neither am I good at public speaking but God has a habit of using the weak to lead the strong. Only found God over 2 years ago and by gosh he has got me to do some challenging things. The Church would be on fire if we all were totally daring and open to God in whatever way he wants to use us.

Anyway, on top of the individual/group evangelizing that Christ has done through me I have also developed my own website.
howifoundgod.bravehost.com/
Its my natural tendency of getting out of those challenging personal evangelizing that Christ keeps leading me into. But if I could do it…man anyone can…Just be open to God!!!

Peace,
Louis

What a wonderful story!:extrahappy: There is another thread in apologetic forum where people are posting “Why are you Catholic.” Perhaps you could post your story there.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

evelynicholson:

What would you do if you think God spoke to you directly.

1. Acquire a spiritual director immediately, putting all else on hold until you do.
2. Have the locution discerned. Probably you can find someone in a Charismatic prayer group who will do this. The discernment needs to be over a period of time – not just once.

evelynicholson:

I am very happy otherwise, but keep getting drawn out of a comfort zone, but somehow am not allowed to.Does anyone have experience of this?

1. God never forces.
2. God never rushes.

As for getting drawn out of a comfort zone: welcome to transformation. Transformation should feel difficult, but not impossible. If it feels impossible, then examine the untruth behind the confusion.

It has been my experience that a calling from God is always accompanied by the means to step up to the plate. He provides. He encourages. He comforts. He guides.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

Yes, but I am only a woman and the people with the power the priests and bishops are all men.The Priests and Bishops are often not receptive. I don’t want to be a priest, so I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t want to be a religious busybody.I have no status, so why should anyone listen to me?

Don’t expect folks to listen to you. Give it up.

Expect folks to listen to God speaking through you.

God always chose the meek, the weak, the lame, the lisping so that when they spoke and when miracles and deliverances happened as a result of their words, folks would know that it was God speaking – not another village wannabe.

Also, let’s remember Saul of Tarsus. God called him. Was that easy? Uh… no… He was struck down and blinded. Then sent into the homes of his enemies to be nurtured in the Spirit and healed of his blindness. Then sent into the desert for two years before he was sent into the Mediterranean mission fields.

There is usually a period of nurturing in the Spirit in order for the calling to mature.

God works in eternity. We work in time. Time is a gift to us. We are responsible for how hastily and rashly or how wisely and patiently we use the gift of time.

Whatever you decide to do, don’t do it alone. Folks were usually sent out in twos. And Jesus Himself gave us the entire Church to help us. If you feel alone, then maybe you are being tempted.

Say the Prayer to St Michael for protection, pray to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Pray pray pray.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

no one, man or woman, may do evangelization and catechesis, claiming to speak for the Church, without the permission of their bishop.

Thank you for reminding me of this.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

God does not call the qualified, he qualifies those whom he calls.

Yep, absolutely. He also disqualifies those He has not called.

 

[Ani_Ibi]

The Bishops and priests are often reluctant to simply hand over the reigns of an approved apostolate - such as Director of Catechists or Director of Religious Education for a parish - to a newcomer, someone who is just beginning their education and discernment process, regardless of their gender.

The bishops always test you first. Sometimes their tests may seem very … shall we say… ego gratifying. It is important for them to discern what spirit is leading you. At first it may feel as though the bishops are obstructing you. The bishops – many of them – deeply want the laity to step up to the plate, but are cautious about who is genuinely being called and how mature that calling is.