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what can i do while i am on earth?
If one goes to the old Baltimore Catechism and looks at question 6--Why did God make me?-- the answer gives a general guideline to your question, what can you do on earth: Know God, Love God, and Serve him on earth.
As I said, that is a general answer. But it is a driving one for our spirits. To love God is something to soul can always expand in; to know God is also something we do incompletely and which our minds can grow in deeper knowledge.
To serve God is probably the most applicable part of this answer to your question and really the shortest. What can you do? Serve God. Now, how you go about doing that is the adventure of your life. You need to grow in love of God and knoweldge of him through prayer and discerment of your unique gifts. And then, perhaps after some time, it may become clear to you what you can do for God on earth. You might try many different things; that is always helpful.
But, honestly, as I write this, the actualy WHAT of what you do with your life may not be half as important as the HOW. This is not to say that the CONTENT of what you do is unimportant--it must be a good in itself (For example, the owner of a pornography shop may treat his employees, suppliers, and customers with great love, but the content of his actions are morally evil). But with that caveat, the motivation and the realization of God's love in the world is really the heart of living. This is a common theme of the great saints, especially Teresa of Avila, who wrote, "The Lord does not look at the greatness of our works but at the love with which they are done."
So, however you discern the good you are called to serve God by doing with your particular talents, do so with great love.
I hope this short answer to a very big question is of some help to you.
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Chris
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