Discernment is a Roadmap for Life feat. Mike Creavey

I remember being so frustrated by the question “What’s THE right choice?” when I was discerning. It’s so easy to think that somewhere there’s an answer sheet that God will show me eventually if I try hard enough. Now I know that that’s looking at discernment entirely the wrong way. I am so excited to share this episode filled with truth bombs with you! I spent 40 straight minutes nodding at everything my guest Mike Creavey said. I wish this episode had been around when I was discerning religious life, but I’m so glad I got to chat with Mike now and take what he said into my own future discernment. I think you’ll find it useful too, no matter what choice you’re wresting with.

Mike is one of my most well-read and articulate friends, and he has some truly incredible insight into the “bigger picture” of what we’re getting at when we discern any decision. He came up with a new analogy I had never thought of, and it’s one I want to bring to prayer and keep with me throughout my life for all my decisions. We also discussed what it feels like to hear God speak to you and how realizing our lives belong to someone else changes every waking moment.

Mike discerned religious life through college and spent a year in the seminary before ultimately choosing marriage and fatherhood. He holds a Master’s Degree in Theology from Franciscan University (aka he really knows what he’s talking about,) and is the host of the Gracious Guest podcast.

Topics discussed:

• Growing from renting our parents’ faith to purchasing our own, and what it costs
• Why there isn’t an “answer key” somewhere when it comes to discernment
• Receptivity as the best way to hearing God speak
• How discernment is like never-ending spiritual land navigation
• Our lives are not our own (and why it’s so hard to embrace that)

Resources:

• The Gracious Guest Podcast and Blog
• Cardinal Sarah’s The Power of Silence
• Romano Guardini's The Spirit of the Liturgy (Milestones in Catholic Theology)
• Thomas Merton’s discernment prayer
• Jean Pierre de Coussade's Abandonment to Divine Providence