Your life is a gift, and God has created you with a purpose. Vocational discernment is about discovering what that purpose is—where your deepest joys, your unique gifts, and God’s call for your life intersect. For you, as a young adult, this journey may feel exciting, yet uncertain. How do you balance personal desires, practical responsibilities, and faith? How do you truly know where God is leading you?
The good news is that God’s call is not a hidden mystery meant to frustrate you. It is an invitation to joy, love, and fulfilment. Here’s how you can begin listening, trusting, and responding to that call.
- God’s Will Leads to Your Fulfilment
The first thing to understand is that God’s will for your life is not separate from your happiness. He created you with unique gifts, talents, and desires because He wants you to flourish. Your vocation is not something to fear or endure; it is something to embrace. It aligns with who you are and what brings you peace.
The Final Document of the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment reminds us that “the vocational journey is not about self-fulfillment, but about making a gift of oneself to others.” (Final Document, 77) Your vocation becomes the path through which you give yourself in love and service.
From a faith-based perspective, self-fulfillment is about discovering and living out your personal vocation, which is God’s unique plan for your life. It goes beyond personal satisfaction and is rooted in serving God and others.
C.S. Lewis on Fulfillment: “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become.”
Scripture assures us of God’s intentionality:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
Trust that God’s plan is good:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- Discerning with the Church and Your Faith Community
You are not alone in this journey. The Church, your faith community, and trusted mentors are here to guide you. The Synod Final Document emphasises that discernment happens through “listening, accompaniment, and spiritual direction” (Final Document, 91).
The Church encourages you to actively seek out spiritual guides who can help you listen to God’s voice. Scripture reminds us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Walking alongside the Church ensures that you remain rooted in faith, especially in times of uncertainty. Allow trusted mentors—priests, spiritual directors, and other wise companions—to help you identify where God is calling you.
- Recognise Joys and Gifts in Light of Service
The Synod Final Document highlights that discernment involves recognising the gifts God has given you and asking how they can serve others:
“Every vocation is born in the community and with the community in mind.” (Final Document, 88)
God has placed certain joys, gifts, and desires in your heart for a reason. Pay attention to what brings you peace and fulfilment, but always ask: How can I use this for the good of others?
Even Jesus grew into His vocation:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
Vocational discernment is a balance of listening to your heart and responding to the needs of the world. The Synod invites you to live your vocation as an act of love, in imitation of Christ, who came to serve and give His life for others:
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)
- Your Vocation: Beyond a Career
The Final Document stresses that a vocation is not just about choosing a job—it is about embracing a “state of life” (marriage, consecrated life, priesthood, or single life) and living it as a call to holiness.
“The vocation to holiness is the first call that God addresses to each of us.” (Final Document, 165)
While your career is important, your deeper vocation transcends your work. It is about how you live out your faith in your everyday life—how you love, serve, and become who God created you to be. St. Paul reminds us:
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
Your vocation is ultimately about making your life a gift:
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
- Steps to Discern God’s Call
The Synod Final Document emphasises that discernment is a process requiring faith, patience, and courage. Here are practical steps to begin:
- Make it a daily habit to surrender your life to Jesus, making the day a gift to him.
- Pray and Listen: Spend time in silence before God, asking Him to show you His will. Like Samuel, say: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10). Eucharistic Adoration provides an ideal environment for this.
- Develop a habit of reading the Bible, maybe starting with the Gospels.
- Participate regularly in the sacraments such as the Holy Mass and the sacrament of reconciliation to help feed your spiritual life.
- Accompaniment: Seek guidance from spiritual mentors or directors. The Synod stresses the need for trusted adults to accompany young people on their vocational journeys. (download and complete the vocation discernment questionnaire)
- Reflect on Your Joys and Gifts: What brings you peace and purpose? How can these gifts serve others?
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:10) - Take Concrete Steps: Vocational discernment happens through action. Explore opportunities for service, ministry, or relationships that help you grow closer to God.
- Trust in God’s Timing: The Synod reminds us that God’s plan often unfolds gradually. Be patient and trust in His faithfulness.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Your Life: A Gift for the World
The Synod Final Document beautifully describes the vocation of every young person: “Your life is not a coincidence or an accident: it is a gift! You are loved by God, and you are called to share that love.” (Final Document, 64)
Your vocation is your response to God’s love. Whether in marriage, religious life, single life, or your work, your life becomes a testimony to His grace. Jesus said:
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
God is with you as you discern. Take courage, trust in Him, and step forward in faith, knowing He will lead you to a life of joy, peace, and purpose.
References:
- Final Document of the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, Vatican, 2018.
- S.E. Greydanus, “What God Wants for Your Life”, National Catholic Register.
- Preparatory Document for the Synod on Young People, the Faith, and Vocational Discernment, Vatican.
- “How Do I Discern My Vocation?”, U.S. Catholic.
- Nora Tubbs Tisdale, “Distinguishing Between a Job and a Vocation”, Christian Century.
