Door #4 has been really important for me in my journey. For a large period of my life, I thought that God's desires were an entirely different thing from my own desires. Practically speaking, this meant that God's will for me was normally something that I didn't want or desire and would be painful for me, as if doing God's will meant to deny who I am and what I want. This couldn't be further from the truth. As I've grown in my relationship with God and in Christian maturity, I've discovered that God's will for me is already written on my heart. If I am honest, and I sit before the Lord in prayer and ask him about an important decision in my life, I normally discover in the deepest depths of my heart a desire already present for the the choice God is inviting me to make. Another way of saying it is that my deepest desires are themselves God's invitation to walk through the door. Great video as always Fr Mike! Thanks for the moment to stop and reflect on the Christian Life.

1. Is this a good/neutral door? (God has not already spoken out against it) 2. Is this an open door? (The "door" has not already told me no and I could actually walk through it) 3. Is this a wise door? (Think now. Will this help me live the life and be the person God wants me to be) 4. Is this a door that I want? (Free will)

Good, open, wise, desired I like it

Great advice, Fr. Mike. I personally like to add going to confession and receiving the Eucharist before making a decision thereby leaving my whole heart open and being connected to God without any hindrance.

One thing I'd like to point out is that the seminary, even with a shortage of priests, isn't always the best door for everyone

Augustine defines evil as disordered love, and good as rightly ordered love: loving God with the love of adoration, our neighbors with charity, and the things of the world with moderation, to use them but not give our whole hearts to them. We are to use things and love persons, not use persons and love things. We are to adore God and use creatures, not adore creatures and try to use God. That's rightly ordered love.

I was confused for so long about my vocation. I knew that I wouldn’t make a good mother but I was scared of the other options. Finally, God spoke to my heart and deep down I knew that I was called to be a religious. It took me a little while to used to the idea, but after a couple of days I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy!

5:22 that's so sweet such a supportive and loving parent we have in God

My wife uses T.H.I.N.K (True, helpful, inspirational, necessary, kind) to tell my daughters how to discern what to say to others. It is interesting to see how there are some commonalities between what you are saying and this.

At 5:00 I almost began to cry. I feel suddenly so enlightened and relieved about decisions, not just current ones but past ones. Never knew really, or never appreciated, that my desire is an okay part of the equation (even though I've always told my kids who are young adults now, "Sometimes God's will and your own desires match; it's not like God's will is always going to be opposite of yours or necessarily hard.") (Seems like I can take my own advice, but I never realized that until I heard Fr. Mike say it just now!) And it is so liberating to know that between two choices, both can be good. Being "choices" doesn't necessarily mean they are diametrically opposed ipso facto, nor that if they are opposed one is 'bad' and the other 'good'. They can both be good even if in apparent opposition. (Ex: Go to college or start a business? Get married or become a religious?) Wow, I am so relieved. I could cry. I mean it. I have struggled wondering if I made wrong or even "bad" choices in my youth, like if I totally missed God's signals and graces and maybe overlooked a decision God was pointing me to. But now I think I can be at peace with decisions I've made, stop wondering "what if?" and know that one or the other decision was good and that God is with me here. What a gift of peace I have just received. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit gives Fr. Mike the right words said in the right way! Yeeha~!

I know Fr. Mike directs his ministry at young adults, but I'm 47 and always get so much out of what he has to say. I'm in the process of trying to discern God's will for me in a volunteer role. This is helpful. Thank you.

"God Bless Us Father Mike"👴.

Ah yes, yet another video that I need to hear. Totally not coincidental. Thanks for the video!

Wow....I just can't believe.. bang on right time!!!!!

You’ve just made a weight on my heart feel a little lighter Father!!! Thank you!! ✝️❤️‍🔥🌹

Thank you father Mike!!! I was looking for something like this :) I was stressing out about making choices in my life and at the same time doing God’s will. Then it hit me that I was actually not wanting the responsibility of making a choice (indecisiveness) so I wanted to let God handle it. Now I know I have to work and pray harder to be responsible for what I want to pursue, being confident that my Lord will be on the other side of the door I choose to open. This just brought peace to my heart, and I feel happier about my future and enthusiastic about God’s plans for my family. “Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything”.

I am not afraid to take decisions, but I only ask God never lose my inner peace. Since inner peace grants me the self conviction that what I am doing is not only "what I want", but God is not against that decision, and it is this that grants me the courage, strength and determination to persist even when I know I must overcome obstacles and hardships by taking such decisions.

You have no idea how much this helped me. I pray God bless you. Thank you

Thinking of all those things plus having a conversation with God will lead you to where you are meant to be in life

Ahhh perfect timing. SUCH a good video. So much wisdom. My weekly bit of spiritual direction ❤

Thank You Fr.Mike, I was born Catholic and you are teaching me things I didn't even know! it has opened so many doors to happiness, I can't think of any way to thank you except saying, I Love you Brother!

Thank you for the door analogy! I do love our God because of these choices; one time a priest friend told me that what God wants for us is what it is already our deepest desire, and that I could recognize being in the right track towards it because of the peace and love and joy it would bring. And over the years I've found that to be true.

When I have an important decision to make or help, I fast. Evening to evening I ask for guidance. Usually within a few days it is clear to my spirit something. If I feel I need more info I set ahead a day to fast AGAIN, maybe asking, “Lord how do I DO this?” Thirdly you can put a fleece before him to confirm what you think you understood, but don’t test or try the Lord. It never fails. Sometimes he shows me I have sin in the way, like priorities or attitude or I’ve offended someone, etc. so remove the obstacles to have his ear and hear. I always learn something. Lean in.

Thank you for this new information, it has help me in my 3 year long journey of constantly thinking what I should do in life, I'm 25 this year and I have been sitting around wondering what to do as my vocation and waiting for God to answer me because so many people tell me to just ask God if you're not sure, but many times I hear nothing back plus I'm still working on my listening skills with God. I was starting to worry for myself that maybe I am just not too sensitive to God's voice yet so it's harder for me to hear back from Him faster like the others. Anyways, your video helped me to realize that I can now do things as I want to do or had the thought to do, I put those decisions in life on pause because I just kept wanting to hear back from God first then only I'll make a move and decision, so thank you for reminding me that God had already told us He will be with me and all of us wherever we go in life, and He will let no harm fall on us but also highlighting the importance that free will is in my hands as well, whatever decisions I make it's all freewill, so I better make the best decision that I see fit and if there are things and paths where He doesn't want me to go, He will stop in me in His own ways but at least I won't be wondering around if any of those jobs fit me because I never bother to try and see it to the end, I'm going to stop my waiting season now and just move forward, wishing all those out there who are discerning and figuring out what they want to do in life, may God bless us all~ May we also learn to trust in Him to guide us and be there for us wherever we choose to go in life.

After spending hours on watching videos on YT how to find purpose in life, there is one of two videos that will stay with me for rest of my life. Thank you and Sole Deo Gloria

ACCIDENTALLY FOUND THIS VIDEO IN A TIME I REALLY NEEDED IT, THANKS SO MUCH , PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE A BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHOSE HEART YOU TOUCH,, THE DOOR CONCEPT IS REALLY GOOD TO RELATE TO , HENCE UNDERSTOOD IT SO I CAN DECIDE.... THANK YOU FATHER MIKE!!!

This advice resonates with me since I made the mistake of majoring in Chemistry and spent the last 4 years of college in total misery and socially isolated because I was also inept at making friends. I'll be graduating May, now I need to figure out how to get back on track.

Thank you Father!! I needed to hear this!! Mike

Needed this thank you!

Ty I needed to hear all of this.

I needed to hear this!! Thank you father ❤️🙏🏼

Thanks Fr. Mike i needed this! God bless!

thank you so much. i needed this.

As always... Thank You🙏😊

Thank you for sharing this message!

Wow, thank you. This channel is such a Blessing!

Thank you so much Fr. Mike

Loved this Father. Thank you!!!

Thank you so much Fr. Mike🙏

I really struggle with discernment with my business and relationship decisions. I want to do God’s will at all times. But I do struggle with choices and will.

Perfect timing. God bless you Father Mike!

Thanks for the message Father Mike, it came at the perfect time. God bless.

Fr. Mike God Bless you for your ministry and your orthodoxy! Praying for you!!

Thank you Father Mike! God bless you!

I definitely need this video at this time of my life. Thank you, Father Mike!

I love these videos - Father Mike draws you in when he speaks.

THANK YOU, Fr. Mike, for this!! Solid, straightforward, sensible, wise advice! Much needed!!

Thank you for this.

Thank you Father Mike!

Amazing advice! Thank you Fr Mike

Thank you Fr. Mike!

Thanks Father Mike!

Thx so much for this advice! ❤️

Thank you Father Mike Schmitz. God bless

Thank you. So insightful and timely!

Thank you so much for this helpful video.

God was speaking to me through this. Thank you, Father Mike!

Thank you so very much Father.Mike for your message. All the very best and God bless.

I love you Father Mike!! Awesome! ❤️

Amen thank you REv

Thank you very much!

Booya! Thank you! That was so much Truth, my brother. God bless you back.

Thank you Father! God bless!

I always learn something new through your messages, Fr. Mike. Thank you so much!

Thank you brother, I enjoy your content and how the Lord speaks through you.

Thanks for sharing this video Fr. Mike. It's so calming and assuring at this point of my life.

Thank You so much Fr. Mike.. 🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭

Thank you so much. God bless, Fr. Mike.

perfect timing for me... WOW!

You are a gift.

Thank you Father Mike. God bless you.

Thank you Fr. Mike, God bless you❤

Thanks .. I needed this today

THANKYOU FR.MIKE...FOR YOUR HELP AMEN 🙏

Thank You Fr. Mike ❤❤❤ God bless you more!

I need this tonight; thanks, Fr. Mike ❤️

I’m Brazilian, and I love your Chanel! God bless u a lot and Virgem Mary ❤️

This is the exact message I needed to hear today morning.

Thank you father mike! ❤

Thanks father!! :)

Thanks Fr Mike! This video is really helpful! God bless!

❤️much respect

Thank you 🙏

These videos come to me every time i need them

This is exactly what I needed in this moment. Thank you.

Thank you father this helped me.

Very wise and well said. Thank you!

Thank you Father Mike. 😎

Thank you Father Mike....i needed to hear this. so many questions in my mind and on my heart. God is always on the other side...thank you.

Thanks, Father. Felt him in this one!🙏

amazing video Fr. Mike. Thanks for the advice!

This is my favorite video I've seen of yours so far, Fr. Mike! Thank you!!! SO inspiring

Thanks Fr.

Thank you!!!!!!! This is so helpful 🤍🙏🏼

Thank you for this valuable information, i will use it wisely

Thank You so much father 😊

Thank you, Father :)

This video just answered my prayer

That was a amazing video! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much