Not a Problem, But a Tree

It’s easy to think of vocational discernment as a problem to be solved. Plug the right information into a computer program (I like this, I don’t like that; I am good at this, I am not good at that; people say this about me, etc.) and voila...you get an answer. Or to treat discernment like it is a math problem: if we just manipulate the variables enough we will eventually solve for x (x being our vocational call from God). But the answers to the fundamental questions - who we are, why we exist, and what God wants us to do - are not questions of logic. They can’t just be “figured out”.

A better way to think of discernment is as a tree. After all, Jesus calls us to bear fruit that will last, so it’s His analogy!

Let’s say we are given a tiny sapling and told it will fruit after some time. We don’t know what the fruit is at first, but if you think about it, that isn’t the important thing to focus on at the beginning! We need to give our tiny tree good conditions for growing. We need to provide it with fertile soil, give it water, make sure it is in proper light, protect it from harsh weather. This will take time, effort, and most importantly patience.

After years of cultivation, if we give our tree proper attention, then we’ll see the first fruit blossoms, followed by the fruits themselves, and eventually we will discover with great joy what the fruit is.

A vocation also requires a similar cultivation. If we are to produce good fruit, we need to place ourselves in the right conditions, adapting ourselves so that we are open to answering the call of God.

Allowing the Fruit to Mature

The basic conditions for cultivating a vocation to fruition are:

• A real desire to give oneself totally to God. This does not require perfect abandonment; in fact, too often we use our own imperfection as a pretext to avoid answering God’s call. The point is that the desire should be sincere, and we are willing to work toward total abandonment to God.
• Total trust in God. Jesus tells us to be like little children in our reliance on our Father for all things. Fear (of ourselves, our own fragility and sinfulness) is probably the main obstacle to good discernment. God can and will give us the means to overcome any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable it seems, if we allow ourselves to trust His limitless goodness and love for us.
• Faithfulness to personal prayer. God speaks to our hearts to help us understand what He wants for us. This only possible if we are developing an intimacy with Him which allows us to hear and speak to Him.
• Immersion in the Word of God. Answers are often found in Sacred Scripture, especially the Gospels; however, they are generally not found by opening the Bible and reading a passage. Allowing the scriptures to influence and form our minds and hearts through prayer will help us to be guided more clearly by the Holy Spirit.
• Patience. While a sense of urgency in discovering one’s vocation is good, patience is also required. God wants to work with us even more than we want to work with Him. His plan, however, may include allowing us to suffer through periods of doubt and uncertainty. This is normal, and if we are patient and faithful, our patience will be rewarded with “fruit that will last.”

Early Signs

It is important to note that God does not leave us totally in the dark during the long period of cultivation. Just as our sapling will show signs of its variety early on, like the type of leaf it grows, its bark, even the shape of the branches, so God reveals a little of what He is calling us to do as we cultivate our vocations. It is important to pay attention to these details. Your interests, your personality, and opportunities which are presented will help you to get to know yourself as God has created you. This will help you to understand the purpose He has given to your life. This will help you to approach discernment less like logical data plugged into a program to solve a problem, and more like a growing self-revelation of who God has made you to be…the nutrients that help a tree to grow and bear fruit that will last.