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Seek answers to selfless questions, not selfish questions
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December 1, 2014Father Joseph Lopez, JCL, is Vocations Director for the Diocese of Corpus Christi.
"Failure to Launch" was the title of a popular movie a few years ago about a shiftless young man with no direction in life. Psychologists use the term "launch" to describe the period when a young person is trying to make a life for himself outside of the care of parents.
For many young people, there is often a time of "spiritual launching;" of making decisions about what to believe, what to value and what to pursue in life. This is precisely the time to be asking God about one's vocation.
During this launching period, it is critical to ask the right questions. The questions we ask determine the direction of our lives. If we ask the right questions, we will go one direction. Ask the wrong questions, and it is likely we will go in the wrong direction.
Many people have internalized these kinds of questions:- How can I be more popular?
- How can I have the most fun?
- How can I make more money?
- What will make me feel good?
- How can I be most successful?
- Who am I?
- Why was I created?
- Who is Jesus Christ?
- What is my purpose and mission in life?
- Where am I going? How do I get there?
- Whom will I serve?
- How much of myself will I give?
- To what state in life is God calling me?
What kind of questions are you asking yourself? Try bringing your deepest questions to prayer, then listen to the Holy Spirit for answers.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Mt 10:39)."
Thank you for taking the time to discern your vocation. Remember, the best way to discern is to pray and be open to God's will in your life.
