www.vocation.com - When do you know when to move towards a vocation to th

	Jamie asks: When do you know when to move towards a vocation to the religious life and when it is better to stay where you are? I have been going to spiritual direction for a year and a half now. My spiritual director has told me that he doesn't think it is time for me to move on my vocation yet. At first, I was able to accept that, because I sort of knew that he was right. But for the past six months, this whole question of moving on my vocation has been coming up more and more. At first I think I was just being impatient. But now more and more my soul is telling me it is time. I am going to spiritual direction in a week, and I am going to tell him this. What do I do if he says no, it is still not time?
	Dear Jamie, It all depends on why your spiritual director thinks you should wait. As a general rule, if there is something concrete and important that you still need to work on, it is better to wait. If you are not perfect, but everything is normal, then it is best to move - you cant wait until youre perfect before entering a convent. What would be some examples of points that it might be advisable to work on before following your vocation? Well, if you are all fired up with thoughts of the vocation, but you are chronically irresponsible in your ordinary duties; if you still have some bad habit to overcome; if you have debts you have to pay off; if you are ill and need convalescence; if you have absolutely no control of your moods; if your prayer, vocation insight, spiritual life are based on emotions only... and all of this, of course has to be taken in relation to your age. A college student thinking of religious life should meet different (higher) standards than a high-schooler. So, if you feel uneasy about what your spiritual director is advising you, ask him. Remember, the role of a spiritual director is not to tell you what to do, no questions allowed, but to help you understand what God is asking of you so that you too can understand, accept and do it. God bless.


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