Is this Work Really God’s Will?

By John C. Preiss

It’s easy to feel restless when you sense a strong desire to serve God more directly—perhaps by working in the church or Catholic organization—yet find yourself in a different kind of job. This tension is common among people of faith who long to do God’s will, but wonder if their current work is really part of His plan. I really struggle at times with this personally. I open my heart and basically say, “Lord I’m here waiting for the opportunity”.

The longing to serve in a visible way is a good and holy desire.

Many saints and spiritual writers affirm that God often plants these desires in our hearts as part of the process of vocational discernment. However, it’s important to remember that God’s will is not always about the “place”where you work, but about who you are and “how you serve”in whatever circumstances you find yourself.

“A vocation is not primarily about doing, but about being.”

God’s will is revealed in the present moment

Sometimes we think serving God means we must be in a church office, a Catholic school, or a ministry position. But God’s plan is often bigger and more mysterious. He may be using your current job—whether it’s in business, healthcare, education, or another field—to prepare you for something greater, or to reach people who might never set foot in a church.

Discernment is a journey, not a one-time decision

The process of discovering your vocation, or God’s will for your life, involves prayer, reflection, and openness to where God is leading you. The deepest desires of your heart, your gifts, and your circumstances are all part of how God guides you. Sometimes, the desire to serve in a Catholic organization is a seed that will bear fruit later. Other times, God is asking you to bloom where you are planted right now.

God’s timing is perfect

The frustration or impatience you feel may actually be God’s way of deepening your trust in Him. He is preparing you, shaping your character, and teaching you lessons in your current work that will be essential for whatever comes next. Trust that if He wants you in a different role, He will open the right doors at the right time.

You are doing God’s will when you are faithful to the present moment, offering your work, your joys, and your struggles to Him. Every honest job can be a way to love and serve God’s people. Even if your work doesn’t have a religious label, it can still be holy if you do it with love, integrity, and a spirit of service.

“Your vocation is the will of God acting through you. If you feel inclined to follow a particular path, that is because God has planted that seed within you… Vocational discernment accounts for the totality of a person—how God has called and formed you—and puts your gifts into focus.”

In summary:

If you feel like you’re not doing God’s will because you’re not working in the church or Catholic organization, remember: God’s will is found in the present, in faithfulness, and in trust. He has you where you are for a reason, and He is preparing you for something bigger in His time. Stay open, keep praying, and trust that God’s plan for your life is unfolding—even if you can’t see the whole picture yet.