Find Your Truth > Marble Collegiate Church

Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Find Your Truth
By webmaster @ 7:00 AM :: 365 Views :: 3 Comments :: Dr. Arthur Caliandro

Here's a question I have heard from many people over the years: what do you do when you are a mature adult working in a profession at which you are performing well, are liked and respected, yet at which you feel incomplete, and even misplaced? Deep down you just know you are supposed to be doing something else, and you sense your life will be fulfilled only when that intuition is acted upon.

This is a common dilemma which becomes a perplexing challenge calling for discernment and the courage to follow through.

The discernment is to discover who you really are, why you are here, what you are about. Ministers and actors talk about a “call.” I believe everyone is called to something – teacher, fireman, lawyer, doctor, writer, business person – and that we do not fully come into our fullness until we deal with that inner yearning.

Jesus is helpful with his teaching, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32) How do you know the truth? The most effective way I have found is through prayer.

Whatever you are doing – working, riding the subway or bus, shopping for groceries – you always pray. Leave a part of your mind constantly open for the voice of God’s Spirit to quietly break through into your thoughts. When you are in touch with your own truth, when you allow the inner voice of Spirit to lead you to be who you were born to be, you experience a refreshing freedom.

Educator Parker Palmer tells of the struggle to discern his true self in his superb book Let Your Life Speak. While in his process he went into a dark depression during which his truth, his life, was speaking, and he followed his call to be an educator. Freedom and fulfillment followed.

I pray that you will find your truth and know the joy and fullness of it.

Comments

By Hildkj @ Sunday, October 28, 2007 5:27 PM

In my working years i often felt out of place, should be doing something else...Tried to find different work, but nothing presented itself.At the end of my worklife I came to realize that I was in fact doing a great job, that my talents matched my duties, and that I was working directly for God, and doing my very best, for Him.It was a very happy realization! Bless you!

By john cadue @ Monday, October 29, 2007 4:12 PM

Dear Arthur, Just glad you are feelnig well enough to post your Blog missed you last week and am sure it is because you were out having FUN!!!but as always your words are inspiring so welcoem back to BLOG CITY. :)

By gcheng @ Saturday, November 03, 2007 2:59 PM

Nice to read your message, as usual, it has touched a note in me.
When I was younger, I was always engaged in searching for the truth. I always thought that I was meant to be somewhere else, doing something different. But as year past, I realized that where I am now is where I am meant to be. I work with chidlren because I am good at it. I did not appreciate my God given talent. But as I see my truth clearly, I started to enjoy what I do even when it is stressful. It lifts me up knowing that I am touching young lives. I make a difference.
Hope all is well with you, Arthur. I pray that we will see you very soon.

You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here