In our lives, we're faced with loads of choices - some simple (what should I wear today? what do I fancy for lunch?), some a bit more complicated (what subjects should I study for my GCSE's? how should I react to my mate who's just lost her grandma?) 

When we look at the decisions that we make, it can really help if we get a bit of the 'bigger picture' on how our lives our going... sometimes this might mean that we want to investigate ways to help other people out - either through volunteering some time, or by taking a whole year out of busy lives.

Beginning to look at the future can be a daunting task! It's not very often that people can tell you what they're doing next year, let alone in 10 years time. Have you considered where life is going? Are you missing the bus, or are you speeding off beyond where everyone else is?

Often, we can get the impression that we're forced into a corner about where our lives are going - if you're clever, you go to University, if you're not, you get on with some 'proper' work!!! The great news is that life as a Christian isn't like that - Jesus said:

'I have come so that they might have life and have it to the full!' John 10:10

Our options as young people aren't limited by other peoples' expectations of us, or even our own expectations of ourselves. There are loads of future options that we might not even consider, but that very well may be where we can reach 'life to the full'.

As well as volunteering time, or offering a year out, there are some long-term commitments that we can be called to in the future... It's worth having a think about the options below, and considering whether there may be something in these choices that would really suit you:

Married life : To give and receive love 'til death do us part'! To be committed to your husband or wife in the eyes of God, and in the eyes of the Church. To bring children into the world, supporting them, caring for them and loving them.

Single life : To choose to remain single so that you can do things that perhaps aren't so realistic for a family to do - overseas missions, living and identifying with the poor or helping those who are persecuted for their religious beliefs. To offer up the stability of a family in order to embrace the whole of God's family.

Diocesan priesthood : To take vows consecrating your singleness, in order that you can serve the Church by ministering to the people of the diocese. To enter into the mystery of the sacraments, while firmly keeping your feet on the ground by getting to care for your parishioners!

Religious life : To become consecrated as a sister, brother or priest of a community. To share communal life with others, and learn to grow together as members of a family of faith. To dedicate yourself to serving others, especially the poor.

Integrated community life : To commit to a community form of living, whether married, single or consecrated. To be passionate about the aims and goals of your particular movement. To care for the members of your wider family within the community, and strive together for holiness.

Wherever you're headed in the short term, come back periodically to the question of where you're headed in the long run. This can really help you to focus, and develop a sense of your 'calling' in your life.

For more information about investigating an interest in any of these forms of life, please contact us, and we'll try and put you in touch with somebody local who can give you really good advice! The site for the National Office for Vocation is totally nice looking, and pretty informative. The Australian site, OzVocations is really clear about answering questions and describing all the different options that we can't go into here!