It’s God’s call, not ours, to be followed

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

THE most important question in life is not, “What do I want?” but “What does God want?” That is the ideal protocol for every Christian. Life is not meant to be directed merely by our plans, ambitions, or preferences. Our first task is to discern God’s will, and our lasting mission is to follow it.

Many fear that surrendering to God’s will diminishes freedom. The opposite is true. True freedom is not doing whatever we please but choosing the good for which we were created. God’s will never suppresses our humanity; it perfects it. It leads us to become the persons we were always meant to be.

This is because our life is not simply our own. It is God’s gift before it is our possession. We exist not only because he created us but because he destined us to share in his very life. Created in his image and likeness, we enjoy a unique closeness to God among all creatures. We are called to participate in his divine life.

Sadly, this foundational truth is often forgotten. Many live as though life begins and ends with earthly success, comfort, or personal fulfillment. They remain unaware that every moment carries a divine invitation. More than teaching this truth, we must also learn the practical art of living it faithfully every day.

Discerning God’s call requires faith. And genuine faith cannot exist without humility. Humility enables us to acknowledge that God sees farther than we do, knows better than we do, and loves us more than we love ourselves. Without humility, we easily replace God’s will with our own.

That is why continuous formation in the faith is indispensable. We must constantly deepen our understanding of Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and sound Christian doctrine. Otherwise, we become selective believers, embracing only those truths that fit our preferences while ignoring those that challenge us. When that happens, we remake God in our image instead of allowing him to reshape us in his.

At the same time, we must cultivate the habit of spiritual discernment. God speaks quietly—in prayer, in conscience, in ordinary events, and through the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. His voice is often drowned out by noise, distractions, emotions, and worldly concerns. Learning to listen requires silence, recollection, and a contemplative spirit.

This also means recognizing the full reality of who we are. We are not merely physical beings driven by instinct, nor simply rational beings guided by logic. We are spiritual persons called to supernatural communion with God. Every decision should therefore be judged not only by what is practical, pleasurable, or even reasonable, but also by what leads us closer to God.

Our human faculties must be properly ordered. The body, emotions, intellect, and spirit all have their rightful place, but they are not equal. The spiritual dimension must guide the rest. Only then can our humanity flourish in its fullness and our deepest aspirations find lasting fulfillment.

Unfortunately, many settle for far less. They live only at the level of immediate needs, pleasures, or material achievements. This is a kind of poverty that is more serious than economic deprivation. It is an impoverishment of the human spirit. People become content with merely existing instead of truly living the life God has prepared for them.

We cannot remain trapped at the level of the senses or even of reason alone. We are called to rise higher. As St. Paul reminds us, we are meant to become spiritual men and women, allowing the Spirit of God to direct our thoughts, choices, and actions. Only then do we discover the freedom, joy, and fullness that come from following not our own call, but God’s.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com