» How Is God Calling Me? - Dominican Sisters of the Immaculate Conception

How Is God Calling Me?

Crucifix of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore

Pray, speak to a holy person, and learn to listen to God's voice.

Do you wonder, “To what kind of life is God calling me?” or “How can I know God’s will?” or “Am I being called to religious life?”

These are questions that many single persons ask themselves, and struggle with. Jesus Christ desires that all of His followers live life to the full. He said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). To hear God’s voice, we first must listen. To listen, we must be silent, and to practice the art of prayer.

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Sometimes we cannot listen well because we have an attachment of sin clouding our thoughts and desires. For example, sexual sin is a major obstruction in hearing God speaking to our hearts. It is particularly disruptive if we are considering a celibate life. Such sin engulfs our emotions and thoughts, pulling us away from a peaceful state of mind that we need. Catholics can make use of the sacrament of Confession in such cases to begin to live chastely.

Spiritual Direction

The concern for how you are called as a Christian is often difficult. God doesn’t want you to struggle with it alone. Find a good priest or spiritual director, as Pope Benedict XVI has suggested. Or find some holy person who knows you well with whom you can talk about these things.

How does a calling to the consecrated/religious life occur? With some people, they always felt a desire to become a sister. With others, the calling is a gradual growth or desire. Others have resisted a calling, trying to run away from it. Still others might have experienced a life-changing conversion. This last experience must be approached cautiously, since the person may confuse a desire to live a holy life with that of a religious vocation.

Marriage and Consecrated Life

What if one feels an attraction to marriage? To be a wife and mother of children? This attraction is healthy and normal, and if it was absent, would likely indicate that there was no religious vocation. Rather, the woman who chooses to become a sister answers God’s call to become a spouse of Christ, a spiritual mother to others. She does not despise marriage, but gives it up for a greater good.

If you are seeking God’s vocation for you, pray, speak to others, and learn to listen to His voice. A retreat would be a good step. And keep seeking until you have found God’s calling for you.