Vocation Discernment
If I am serious about discovering God's will, I must be clear about what it is that I desire. What is my goal?
What questions need to be asked in setting a goal?
• What is your short range goal? You intermediate goal? Your long range goal?
• What present strengths do you possess that will help you achieve this goal?
• How soon, realistically, would you like to achieve this goal?
• What new strengths might be required to achieve this goal?
• What leads you to believe this is a good idea?
• What barriers, if any, do you anticipate that might keep you from achieving this goal?
• What other factors play a part in helping this goal become a reality?
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If I am serious in my desire to know God's will, it implies the following: • Openness to get in touch with oneself, one's fears, concerns, gifts... • Openness to hear the word of God even when it is difficult to accept • Openness to continual reflection upon our faith experience • Openness to remove obstacles that are within us, preventing our hearing or accepting the word and call of God • Openness to scrutiny of our responses to God and others • Openness to face past failures with hope for the future • Openness to alternatives, to examining feelings towards any or all Christian lifestyles • Openness to the possibility of changing direction • Openness to personal prayer and trust in God A Discernment Process 1. Write two headings "If I say yes" and "If I say no" 2. Make two columns for each heading and write down the pros and cons for both decisions 3. Evaluate the weight of those things you have written down. Are both decisions about choosing something good? Does one weigh more heavily than the other? 4. Choose one of the decisions. Live with it for a week. Talk to friends about it, listen to your own feelings, thoughts, dreams, sleeping and waking patterns. 5. Wear the other decision for a week. What are your feelings now? How has your prayer been during this week? 6. Make a choice. Live with the decision. |
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