Is That You God?

Use This Online Vocation Discernment Tool

To Help You Discern

One thing that anybody who has ever heard God calling to them knows is that God doesn’t, except in rare cases, typically appear in pillars of clouds and burning bushes.

Usually, God gently whispers.

Amidst the noise of modern society, where the soft whispers of God can be difficult to hear, discerning takes commitment, reflection, and internal quiet. The Franciscan Friars of Atonement know this, and to help people listen to God’s voice in their lives, have developed an online tool to help guide you in prayers of discernment.

Divided into three movements, this tool will lead you along a path to a place where you can hear the calling of God and discern what God is asking of you.

Movement One: We are known and loved

Matthew 3: 13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Movement Two: In Response to God's Love We are Compelled to Share God's Love.

Jeremiah 1: 4-10

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Then I said, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am only a youth.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

Movement Three: We are Continually Drawn into Deeper Intimacy with God.

Psalm 63: 1-8

O God, you are my God—it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, in a land parched, lifeless, and without water. I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory. For your love is better than life; my lips shall ever praise you!

I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall be sated as with choice food, with joyous lips my mouth shall praise you! I think of you upon my bed, I remember you through the watches of the night. You indeed are my savior, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy. My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.