Can someone lose their vocation and rebel aganist it?

-Chris

Sure, we're human after all........

Tough questions.

Since you posted this in Vocation Station I'll assume by vocation you mean religious vocation. A religious vocation is a gift from God so I don't think it can be lost. However it can be rejected.

On second thought, the same goes for all vocations, religious or not.

My question is, should one vocation be rejected will God offer up another?

I think that you can definitely reject your vocation. Losing your vocation and getting another is a tough one because God had planned your vocation from all eternity and therefore, the one you "lost" was probably not your real vocation.

Yes, you can reject your vocation. I'm not sure what you mean by losing it. Do you mean that our Lord gets tired of us dilly dallying around and finally says, that's it, I'm taking that invitation back?

No, I always say, He is a relentless pursuer and lover. And until we actually say 'no' (although some of us, especially those called to religious life, might say no, initially out of fear of the unknown and He will continue to call to see if we'll change our mind.) He will continue to call us.

If we definitively say 'no', well, yes, we can 'lose' it in that we reject it. Because we have free will, a vocation is always an invitation, not a demand. However, we are made with our vocation in mind, as 3n1 said, from all eternity. So, I believe, say, for example. . .if we are called to the religious life, giving our yes and entering that state, this is how we will best serve the Lord, this is how we will best live our lives. If we reject that, and decide to marry, again using the same example, it's not that our Lord is going to 'make' us be miserable in that vocation, because we've rejected the religious life, but I DO believe that, in the end, we would have been happier had we answered positively.

I hope that makes sense.

I think it can be rejected, but never lost. God won't ever stop calling, not until the person dies. And then that person would be in pretty big trouble. But every second we live is another chance to accept His will, so His calling wouldn't ever stop until we're done with this life.

My bit 'o comfort theyah.


P.S. of course, in the situation PCPA2Be described above, where someone was called to religious life and got married, thats a tough one, because marriage wouldn't be the vocation God called them to. People who shouldn't get married get married all the time (although I'm being very presumptuous when I say that, forgive me), and people who shouldn't get divorced get divorced all the time. Does that mean marriage was/is their calling...? And for people who've gotten married, had a bad marriage, got divorced, and found the right marriage? The first wouldn't have been their vocation, right? Man, this does raise a lot of questions!

But, I don't think God would adapt what He's calling us to to suit our wants. I think we have one vocation, and all the twists and turns and thoughts and words that come from Him are to lead us to that one vocation, whether it seems another one is or not.

Absolutely! God does not change. However, as humans we have this characteristic, this trait. . . perhaps a blessing, perhaps a curse, called free will. Sometimes I wish I didn't have a will at all! But to allow God only to use His will in me. But we DO have free will and in the end, He may invite, but we must answer, one way or the other.

Wow, very interesting topic.....It makes my head hurt. When someone figures it please post it.....I sure would like to know.

Maybe it's all a matter of degrees. What if we were given the highest calling, say like being a saint and given a path (vocation) to actualize this calling, and, human nature being what it is, say we don't live up to this highest calling and we respond say less perfectly. In this case it would seem that we followed a calling to a lesser degree than originally given. We might all fall into this category. Besides, we all love God in different degrees so maybe our response to God's call will be at different levels of goodness.

We have heard it said that a religious vocation is a higher calling than a married vocation (and I believe it's so) but they both are good and complimentary.

What if God were to offer each of His children both vocations and the child chooses which to follow. Rather than say we reject a religious vocation in favor of a married vocation maube they are both valid choices and an exercise of this tree will thing. Besides how in the dickens would you know??? uuummmmm ???? The best vocation for each of us is the one that helps us to be holy and leads us to God. And because this is a hindsight sorta thing, it seems that in eternity we will finally find out what we were offered and how we responded....ou kinda frightening idnit.

Now I've got a headache.....thanks guys.

Okay, here's my nickel's worth....I believe I have heard that God does have a vocation in mind for each of us...one that will work best with the gifts He has given us & would be for His greatest Glory & bring forth His Kingdom...As we have free will & sometimes make mistakes...if we choose another vocation (religious life instead of married life, for example) if God allows it, He will still use it for His greater glory & He will give graces to the person to follow it...All things happpen for the good of those who love God...even from our sins & mistakes good can be brought out of it...He can use it.

(I hope I'm making some sense here!)

In my own experience, I am sometimes afraid that I am missing the boat (so to speak) with my own vocation...I have felt called to religious life for a long time, but I was too immature when I was younger & then I fell into the New Age for about 7 years...I renewed my Baptismal Vows in 2002 & am just now starting to visit communities where the age limit is 35! (I am 34 years-old). So...I am praying (& so are many others!) to overcome any & all obstacles with God's grace...Sometimes I am fearful, but mostly I am at peace...Pace e bene, Brandelyn