Choosing the path of my life Taking decision about one's vocation or choosing the path of life is perhaps the most significant decision a person takes in his/her personal life. Almost every young person asks for some guidance and support in taking a decision about his or her vocation. The following discussion offers you some light on the various options and for those who want some practical assistance on the matter some futher guidance. Choosing ones path of life appropriately and living it out faithfully are at the heart of a sense of fulfilment in life and the secret of enduring joy. Perhaps the Psalmist has this in mind when he says, You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps. 16:11) Regarding this choice, what are some of the options a young person has? - The majority enters family life or the married state. This is a beautiful vocation to love and build a community that nurture life and build one another in love. Family is also the best place to build Spirit-filled leadership to serve the Church and the society.
- Priesthood is a special call to set apart one's life to serve the Lord and his people. It demands a life of great dedication and sacrifice and one who opts for priesthood receives a long and comprehensive training to equip him for this challenging life. A person may join a diocese and become a diocesan priest or opt for one of the religious congregations to be a religious priest.
- Another option in life is the religious vocation, a life specially consecrated to God and is characterized by the profession and constant living of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. For men and women there a numerous religious congregations of very specific charisms.
- Some who remain single for life have been there always and everywhere, in recent times this has been recognised as a call of life. Those who remain Single for the Lord take a decision to use all their freedom and flexibility in life to serve the Lord and His Kingdom.
Almost everyone comes to the crossroads in life during the teenage or youth. Choosing one’s vocation is not easy, but it is further complicated by the fact that one’s family and friends have a big say in this decision, and in turn, they are also very much affected by the choice. More than any other decision the choice of vocation is for life and for eternity. The following lines of the poet puts it so well: I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. (“The Road not Taken” by Robert Frost) How do I go about discerning my vocation? A call and my response: First of all, for a committed Christian, life is not an accident, but a call and appointment from God. This conviction makes a big difference when one discerns one’s vocation. From youth to entering into adult life one should proceed with a conviction that our loving Master has a beautiful plan for our life (Jer. 29:11). We can be very much worried and upset about the future, especially about the path we should choose. But the knowledge of a loving God and the certitude about His plan for our life will help us go ahead in life joyfully. A prayerful step towards greater commitment: A deep desire to lead a life of commitment to God makes this search for vocation a journey towards personal wholeness as well as fulfilment. Thus discerning one’s vocation is a journey in the company of our loving Creator, towards greater commitment to God and His Kingdom. With the active support of my family and friends: This search can be a time of growth in holiness, love and mutual relationship if it is undertaken in a spirit of earnest prayer and also in the context of joyful fellowship with other fellow Christians. Elders and people of Christian maturity can be of great support with their prayer support and helpful guidance. Further Support If you are a person in need of further support, prayer and guidance you can surely get in touch with Jesus Youth Vocation Guidance Centre. Dear friend, the decision is fully yours, but in a spirit of Christian charity we are ready to accompany you in your search. - For prayer support and general guidance you can send your mails to
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- If you would like to know more about priestly vocation and related options you can talk to
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- If you are inclined to religious life and need further guidance in the matter or would like to know more about religious orders get in touch with
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- If you sense a call for family life and would like to receive more information about family life or need guidance and support to look for your partner in life you may click here
May the Lord who called you to a life in its fullness accompany you in your choice of the right path of your life. May He anoint you with His Holy Spirit to live life to its fullest possibility.
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