The Nature of the Call

I was in eighth grade when God called me to be a priest. That day changed my life completely, causing me to leave my old life behind and try to follow God. However, this isn't about me; this is about you and your calling and the nature of a calling from God. Here's what I've cone to know about the call from God. 

It's Supernatural!

When God called me, I wasn't active in my Catholic faith, I had never considered the priesthood as a career option, and it certainly had never been suggested or even mentioned to me. In fact, before hearing the words flow through my heart, "I want you to be a priest," I had never even fathomed the possibility of a relationship with God, let alone a life devoted to Him! So I can say with complete confidence that my calling came from God alone. Indeed, even today, four years later, after learning how to recognize God's voice in my life, I still find myself stumped when I ponder His reasoning for asking me to serve Him in this way. 

Therefore, when God calls us, it tends to exist outside the normal limitations of human logic and reasoning, and more often than not, we never expect the outcome. Yet, it is important to remember that despite our own reluctance to throw down our nets and leave our whole lives behind, following God's plan will bring us more joy than any plan we could imagine for ourselves. See Jeremiah 29:11

It means Sacrifice!

Whether you're called to married life, single life, or religious life, there is always some form of sacrifice needed for you to fully live out your vocation. These sacrifices are to be embraced and will eventually bring you peace if you allow yourself to trust God. Sometimes the nature of the call means for us to step away from our current friend group, or let go of something that gives us comfort or pleasure, or to ditch our own plans for our lives, either way, these sacrifices are designed by God not to burden us but to allow us to be more at peace living out our vocation. 

It can be surprising! 

Nobody ever suggested to me that I should become a Priest. Like I mentioned earlier, I had never imagined a world where the priesthood was even a possibility! So when God planted that beautiful seed in my heart, it was as if a whole new reality was revealed to me, the world increased in dimension, a depth of understanding became clear, and God became a person, all in a moment. In one moment, I had total and complete faith in the fact that I was created for one thing and one thing only: to be God's priest. 

Who am I to receive such a mind-blowing, life-changing, world-stopping gift: the gift of faith?

I don't know how or when God will reveal His plan for you, but I can guess that it will knock you off your feet, maybe literally. Start preparing yourself to accept whatever He wants, denying yourself any say in the matter, because quite frankly, He knows better than us what will make us perfectly joyful and content in this life. 

My last bit of advice is never go 100%

God works in ways which we can not possibly comprehend or foresee. Let Him guide you day by day, and wake up each morning open to His Will. So ladies, if you were wondering, I haven't completely closed the door to marriage... Just kidding, verging in innapropriate, but I'm a kid, what can I say? 

This week, I received conditional acceptance into Holy Trinity Seminary. It's been four years since God planted that seed; four years have led up to next Fall. 

To think I will be a seminarian in five months... I realize that there's nothing in the world that could make me happier. 

Brothers and sister, please pray for me and my vocation, and know that I will be doing the same for you. 

Father,

Draw your children in close,

Pull us into your loving embrace,

And whisper your plans for us.

Show us how to listen and follow.

We love you and we thank you for our lives and your providence. 

Never let us go, Lord.

Amen