By Estela Lopez
I believe that vocation is God’s invitation to join Him in His work of healing, hope, and reconciliation. It isn’t limited to ordained ministry. God uses our gifts, passions, experiences, and even our deepest wounds to serve others and reveal His love.
Several years ago, I experienced chronic depression. I was married to my husband, who is a priest, and we were raising our two children. It was the darkest season of my life. At that time, my faith was based more on tradition than on a personal relationship with Jesus.
One night, in desperation, I surrendered everything to God. I prayed, “Lord, if You heal me, I will spend the rest of my life serving You and sharing my story with others.”
God didn’t heal me overnight. Healing became a journey of prayer, therapy, self-discovery, and learning the importance of self-care and wellness. Along the way, I realized there were many other women carrying the same pain I had carried.
So, I invited a few friends to dance Zumba in my living room. Soon we outgrew the space and moved into my husband’s church basement. What started as a Zumba class became a place of healing, friendship, and faith. Women encouraged one another, discovered their gifts, and grew into leaders. Looking back, I realized I was leading a missional community long before I knew what that meant.
That experience taught me that my vocation is to equip lay people to embrace their own discipleship and leadership.
Over the years, many people told me, “You should become a priest.” So, I went to Discovery Weekend expecting God to tell me to go to seminary.
Instead… I heard something even more freeing.
I realized that God had already called me—to serve faithfully as a lay leader.
Like Samuel, who prayed, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening,” I have learned that vocation begins by listening for God’s voice, not by pursuing a title. Discernment is about discovering where God is already at work and joining Him there.
So, whether you are feeling called to ordained ministry or to serve as a lay leader, remember this: God has already placed gifts, passions, and experiences within you—including your own story. Nothing is wasted in God’s hands.
If you are considering attending Discovery Weekend, my prayer is that you will discover that discernment is not about choosing a title, but about listening deeply for God’s voice, recognizing the gifts God has already given you, and faithfully taking the next step. May Samuel’s prayer become your own: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
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