How do I know God is calling me?
by Sister Marie Regine Redig, SSND

First of all, let it be clear that God calls each one of us.

People who choose to marry are answering God's call in response to each other just as truly as a person who enters religious life or the priesthood.

People who choose the single state are responding to God's call and, contrary to the opinion of some, not just waiting or hoping for a lifetime partner.

Those who may be wondering about a call to religious life or the priesthood might be asking, "How do I know God is calling me?"

God's invitation is gentle and persistent. God is like a challenging and growing friend. God's first call is only the beginning of what can grow into a deep and lasting relationship.

When a friend keeps arranging for a time together, you have no doubt about that friend's interest in you. When you are aware of thoughts over and over that suggest giving your life to God in a special way that is God's invitation to follow. The more frequent and persistent the thoughts are, the more you can be sure of God's part in them.

Basically and usually, God works through the principle of attraction. You may feel drawn to religious life in one way while someone else experiences the pull in a totally different way. God uses many avenues to attract, but you respond according to your unique personality and gifts. One person finds the lifestyle of community very inviting. Another finds delight in meeting and knowing people who live the religious life and wishes to model on them. Someone else becomes absorbed in the ideals and purpose of a group through a study of its founder/foundress, special work, and charism for the church. Still another independently desires to give of self to the Lord more fully in serving the people of God. Ultimately, all of these attractions become a part of the whole in one who answers God's call.

Often there will be initial resistance to a vocation. You may be afraid or reluctant to leave behind what you know. You like what you have and feel secure in what is yours. And yet, God's persistence, gently tugs at your heart and urges you to let go until you trust enough to put your hand into God's and take the first step into the unknown.

You may feel uncertain about a religious vocation because you thoroughly enjoy friendships with the opposite sex and, perhaps, you'd like to be a parent someday. What you need to understand is that friendships with both sexes are a normal and healthy part of life and necessary for a well-balanced religious life. The person committed to God must have the same qualifications that make a good parent. The ideals of self-donation are basically the same but the paths are different.

God's desire for you is always one of fulfillment, peace and joy.

God and the things of God's heart must be the attractions drawing your heart.

God invites you to communicate with Jesus and the Spirit in prayer, to lovingly relate with other people, to concern yourself with the poor, to give yourself in dedicated service to the church, and to have a constant readiness to listen and carry on God's plan of creation as spoken in the signs of our times and in the depths of your heart.

How do you know God is calling you? It happens over a period of time, gently and persistently. Your heart turns toward God and you search for what God is saying. If you listen and hear, the message comes clearer and you know.