Discernment

In March this year I attended a Bishops Advisory Panel (BAP), a selection conference where my vocation was tested to see if my sense of calling towards ordained ministry was realistic. A number of people close to me viewed this event as the climax of my discernment process.

“Now your through, you know what your going to do.”

Well it was certainly a milestone and an experience that I will remember for a very long time, however, that doesn’t mean that this was the end of Discernment.

First of all the recommendation I received,  like everyone else, was to begin training for Ordination - there is still a process to follow.

The second, and perhaps most important thing is that Discernment is an ongoing process, one without an end point(well maybe the ultimate end point). Discernment at this point in my journey came to mean an exploration of my sense of calling.

For me, Discernment is an ongoing process of my understanding and accepting who God calls me to be:

• Husband
• Friend
• Disciple
• Brother
• Me

All this seems very simple, I know , or at least think, I know how to be these things and hope to continue being these things in the future. The question is am I being these things to my fullest ability , am I being Me to the Fullest, the Person that God wants me to be at this point in my life?

The same applies to all of us, who are we called to be? Where does God want us at this point in our lives? What does he want us to do?

This is not about radical changes in where we are or what we do, it may be that we feel that we are exactly where we need to be and are doing what we need to do. By stepping back and prayerfully looking at ourselves and where we have been and what we have done we can begin to see God at work in our lives and can be inspired to move forward with what God wants for us.

The other thing in this process is, whilst reflecting back,analysing/thinking and looking forward and planning, remember to Stop. Take some time to enjoy who you are and give thanks that regardless of where you have been, where you will go, what you have done and will do, at this moment in your lives you are You. Beautifully created in the image of and Loved by God for who you are.

Happy Discerning.
dis·cern·ment

n. 1. The act or process of exhibiting keen insight and good judgment.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/discernment