Not My Choice, but God’s
Editor’s Note: Gabriella Dudajek, a new DC Service Corps volunteer, compares the story of St. Francis’s call to the countercultural call of a year of service.
Doing a year of service is something that is hard to explain to people. When asked what my role this year is or what it meant to be doing a year of service, I found it hard to explain to people. I found that a lot of people didn’t understand why I would willingly choose to go from a full-time, paying role, to living on a stipend with eight roommates in Washington, DC. I was told several times, “You’re so brave. I could never do that.”
On the surface, this choice doesn’t really make sense. It’s risky and countercultural, but it never felt that way to me.
During our orientation week for DC Service Corps, we had the opportunity to learn about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. One of the most well-known stories about St. Francis was when he was young, his father expected him to follow in his footsteps and carry on the family business of being a wealthy merchant. Francis did not want to serve money; he wanted to serve God. So, he went to his father and told him that he would not be taking over the family business and would instead be giving up everything he had to follow God’s call. Needless to say, his family did not take that very well. He still pursued his calling, even after being disowned by his family.
In a much less extreme way, I can empathize with what St. Francis went through. It is hard for society to understand when you make a decision that’s risky and feels off the “typical” path. It is hard to explain why I made the decision to do a year of service.
Frankly, I don’t feel brave at all. It felt like I didn’t have a choice BUT to do this program. My role this year is as an Advocacy Associate at Franciscan Action Network, and ever since graduating college, getting involved in faith-based advocacy work in Washington, D.C. is something that has always been in the back of my mind. Also, I missed the community that I used to have through campus ministry. Being a part of D.C. Service Corps would provide me with all those things once again, so it felt like the perfect opportunity. I knew I would always feel like something was missing from my life if I didn’t take this chance.
I don’t know how this year will go or what challenges it will bring, but I do know that I had to do this. It didn’t feel brave, and it didn’t even feel like my choice, but God’s.
Question for reflection: How is God calling you to countercultural service?
Tagged in:
