Discerning God’s Will

As Christians, we spend so much time trying to decipher where He is calling us that we forget the most crucial step. We forget to take action! Oftentimes, we are so unsure that we wait and wait and wait for some grand sign rather than realizing that God gave us the free will to choose for ourselves. This is where we, unfortunately, get stuck most often and it’s the most difficult step to overcome. Starting a new journey can be difficult, especially if we feel called to a certain path.

Discerning where God is calling you is a tricky subject. I don’t claim to know all the answers, I am still trying to figure it out. But I do know a few things, I know that if I never give up praying that God will reveal my path to me. I also know that while he remains silent that I must do my best to reach out to him constantly.

Here are a few practical tips to discerning God’s Will in your life.

1. What are your natural interests?

While it could be possible that God is calling me to become a venture capitalist or stand-up comedian both options seem incredibly far-fetched. I have no interest or innate skills in either of those categories. We oftentimes have the idea that God will reveal a life plan that is completely contrary to our natures while that could not be further from the truth. God reveals where he wants us by revealing our hearts to ourselves. Ask yourself these questions: What are you passionate about? What brings you joy and peace? These things are probably closer to God’s will for you then trying absolutely everything. Take time to figure out what inspires you and maybe that’ll help you narrow done where God is leading you.

2. What is surrounding you?

Oftentimes we will be surrounded by what God wants us to pay attention to. This is so easy to cast aside because we believe that it’s just coincidence all the while leaving God’s Voice out of the equation. If you are being surrounded by people without a strong faith or belief then you are probably called to minister to them. If multiple friends are asking you to speak out about a topic then this is your chance to take the opportunity. These opportunity or situations are so present that it’s easy to not pay attention to how God is working but he is. Remember, God uses all of those that make themselves available to him. What is around you in the present can guide you to the future that God has in store for you.

3. What have you called to do in the past?

When I was in elementary school I could not wait to join the Choir. My mother often states that I started singing before I could talk as I hummed along to the boombox near my crib. It is no surprise then that God finally called me to start cantoring for my parish. I never would have had the courage to do it if I didn’t know that God had set up specific moments in my life and gave me the skills to fulfill that calling. What have you done in the past or been called to do? Paying attention to the patterns that God weaves in our lives makes it easier for us to see how he could be leading us in the present. Take an inventory of the blessings and gifts he has given you and see if maybe he is asking you to take those same gifts to a new place for your future.

4. Are you connecting spiritually to God?

We are blind in this world without God. In order to discern God’s Will you need to be in a place where you are connecting to him. In this moments of silence and praise, God speaks to our hearts. Immerse yourself in the Bible, create a strong spiritual group, go to Mass, pray the rosary, pray for intercession, go to praise and worship. Whatever it is, find something that will connect you to God. When we have the Holy Spirit in our souls, he gives us the light to see the world as it is. Including ourselves and our path.

5. Are you at peace?

This step is the by far the most important. All the friends and family and spiritual directors that I have encountered have all brought me back to this point. Am I at peace? When making large life decisions this is always the thought that I meditate on. Wether it’s something simple like where to go on vacation or larger decisions pertaining to family and career, that is my main focus. If I am not at peace, I do not take action. A very wise Monseigneur once told me, “The Holy Spirit leads you while the devil pushes you”. Do you feel pushed and fearful or do you feel lead and emboldened. Those are two very different emotions. Remember, if it’s the right action God will send you peace, peace beyond understanding.

Now what?

Now that you have some ideas take action! If you feel called to serve find a food pantry. If you want to sing or draw or create then create and figure out how to show it to your closest friends and family. If you want to start a business, start figuring how how you can do it. There is absolutely nothing you can’t do if you do it with God.

Christ needs your gift to light up the world! The time is now to serve Christ!

This topic is near and dear to me because I have spent so much of my life trying to decipher my fate and destiny. I have felt called to write and share my experience for some time but I had no idea how to start or where to begin. I hope that this blog is able to reach you spiritually and that we can learn together. I may fail and I may stumble but my hope that in focusing on the Lord that we can share in this journey towards sainthood.

A little bit about me, I am a devout Catholic Christian. I love Christ and I hope to share His Light to the world. I have also never written a blog before or managed a website so I know that I am completely out of my depths. However, this is where I know that the Holy Spirit will shine! When we step out of our comfort zones into action we are inviting the Holy Spirit to do the impossible in us. This is boldness without fear and faith without hesitation. We are called to this!

How can you be bold in pursuing the life that God is calling you to?

Let me know in the comments! I would love to talk to you about your ideas or experiences!

Live Jesus!

J+M+J