When you understand the motivation, everything changes
You. By Design
Embracing Your Unique Calling: The Journey of Personal Vocation
Have you ever felt that gentle tug on your heart, that whisper in your soul urging you towards something greater? Maybe you've dismissed it as just a fleeting thought or a random idea.
But what if I told you that this could be the beginning of understanding your personal vocation?
This is something that's been on my heart lately: the beautiful, sometimes mysterious, and always unique journey of discovering our personal vocation. It's a topic that's both exciting and, let's be honest, a little intimidating. But stick with me, because understanding this concept can be truly life changing.
What is a Personal Vocation?
What do I mean by personal vocation? First we need to understand what vocation is. Simply put, there are 3 types of vocation:
- Primary Vocation: Think of this as your foundational calling. It's the universal invitation God extends to all of us who are baptized. Simply put, it's a call to live a holy life. This doesn't mean you have to be perfect - far from it! It's about striving to love God and serve others in everything you do. Whether you're a busy mom, a hardworking professional, or a student, this calling applies to you. It's the bedrock of all other vocations.
- Secondary Vocation: This is about your state in life. God calls each of us to a specific path, and the Church recognizes four main ones: • Single life • Married life • Ordained ministry (like priests and deacons) • Consecrated life (think nuns and monks) Your secondary vocation is the 'vehicle' through which you live out your primary calling to holiness. It's the big-picture framework for your life's journey.
- Personal Vocation: Here's where it gets really interesting. Your personal vocation is unique to you - like your spiritual fingerprint. It's how God is calling you to live out your primary and secondary vocations in your specific life circumstances. This encompasses your talents, experiences, relationships, and the particular way you're meant to serve in the world. It's where your passions meet the world's needs. Maybe you're a teacher with a gift for inspiring troubled teens, or an accountant who volunteers to manage your parish's finances. That's your personal vocation in action. Simply put, it's your calling within a calling. It’s that specific way God is inviting you to love and serve Him in this particular season of your life. And here's the kicker – it can change! You might have several callings within your overall vocation throughout your lifetime.
A lot of times when I talk about this subject, people will question this idea that God is actually inviting them to do these things. They think that the Lord only has plans and a purpose for the extraordinary people of the world. I'm just an ordinary person. I go to work, take care of my family, maybe volunteer at church sometimes. Nothing special.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Ordinary
Our personal vocation isn't always about grand gestures or dramatic life changes. Often, it's about doing those very ordinary things we do – for our families, our neighbors, our communities, our work teams. It's about recognizing that even in the seemingly mundane tasks of our daily lives, we are living out our calling.
Remember the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians:
This verse reminds us that every aspect of our lives can be an expression of our vocation when done with love and for the glory of God.
That load of laundry you're folding?
It's an act of service and love for your family.
The report you're finishing at work?
It's using your God-given talents to contribute to society.
The quiet moment you spend in prayer?
It's nurturing your relationship with the Lord.
Seasons of Vocation
Here's another beautiful aspect of personal vocation – it evolves with the seasons of our lives. The calling you feel in your twenties might look different from the one you experience in your forties or sixties.
Learning to trust that it's part of God's plan for us is key.
Think about it. The Lord who created the ever-changing seasons also created us to grow, learn, and adapt. Our personal vocation isn't a one-time discovery but a lifelong journey of discernment and response.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, we're reminded: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven [Ecclesiastes 3:1] This verse speaks to the ebb and flow of life and, by extension, to the changing nature of our personal vocations. Maybe your calling right now is to be fully present for your young children. In a few years, it might shift to mentoring younger colleagues at work.
Later, it could be using your retirement to serve your community in new ways.
The Lord's Plan and Our Response
The Lord has a plan and purpose for your life in every season and stage. Yes, you read that right – every single season. From the mountaintop experiences to the valleys, from the busy years to the quiet ones, God is working in and through you.
But here's where it gets good – His only ask is for our yes. He's looking for our willingness to say, Yes, Lord, I will, with confidence and trust.
Not perfection.
You have been created unique and unrepeatable. There is something that only you can bring to the world, in the very season of life you find yourself in, today. And here's the amazing part: He's already equipped us for whatever He calls us to do: your personality, your experiences, your talents, and even your quirks are all part of how God has designed you to fulfill your personal vocation.
You have everything you need to do what He's calling you to do right now.
Embracing Your Calling
So, how do we embrace this personal vocation? Here are a few thoughts:
- Pay attention: Notice those gentle tugs on your heart, those moments when you feel most alive and connected to God's purpose.
- Pray:Regular conversation with God helps us discern His voice and understand His will for our lives.
- Be open: Sometimes our calling might surprise us. Be open to unexpected opportunities and new directions.
- Start small: Remember, living out your vocation often happens in small, everyday moments.
- Trust: Have confidence that God has prepared you for your unique calling.
- Be patient: Understanding and living out your personal vocation is a lifelong journey. Embrace each stage with grace.
A Personal Invitation
When was the last time you’ve given any thought to this idea of what your personal vocation is?
I want to invite you to take some time this week to reflect on it.
Where do you see God calling you in this season of your life? How might He be inviting you to love and serve Him in your current circumstances?
Remember, your personal vocation isn't about comparing yourself to others or trying to live someone else's calling. It's about embracing the unique way God is working in and through you right now.
As you ponder these things, hold onto this truth: The Lord has a beautiful plan for your life, and He's given you everything you need to live it out. Your job is simply to say "yes" and step forward in faith.
Are you ready? Are you willing to say, Yes, Lord, I will, trusting that He who calls you is faithful?
Because let me tell you, when we align our hearts with God's calling, that's when life becomes a beautiful adventure of faith, growth, and purpose.
May you discover the joy of living out your personal vocation, one faithful step at a time.
I'm over here cheering you on.
LAURA ROLAND COACHING
Transform your personal and professional life with coaching rooted in faith and purpose.
© 2024 Laura Roland Coaching
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