June 29, 2026 Devo

One of the pieces of theology that I think we’ve lost along the way is the idea that we are all called by God for service in His Kingdom. That means that every one of us is a “minister” in some form or fashion. Jeremiah shares that God revealed to him that he was called to be a prophet. God had some very special words He wanted to share through Jeremiah at this very critical time in Israel’s history.
But as we nod our heads and marvel at how God used Jeremiah, we need to be asking a very important question. “What’s MY calling?” We’re not all prophets, that’s for sure. And we’re not all called to serve as missionaries, pastors, or worship leaders either. But what IS our calling? If God made me and redeemed me, then what has He made me to do and what purpose has He saved me for?
I think maybe we overthink it a bit too much. Now that I’ve announced that I’m retiring next Spring, I get a lot of people asking me what I’m going to do. Which is a bit funny to me, I have to admit. It sounds as if people expect me to take up another full-time job. I’m retiring. My future plans at this point are to sleep for about two months. That’s as far as I’ve gotten.
But as I’ve processed how I might serve God best in the next chapter of my life, I thought about what I always said years ago. “I think I’d like to be a Walmart greeter.” I know that sounds funny, but if you really know me, you know how well that fits. I love meeting people. I love striking up conversations with people. I love finding out where people are from and what’s going on in their lives. Paul doesn’t list it in Corinthians or Romans, but I think I may have the spiritual gift of conversation. I’ve had intimate, engaging conversations with people in the most unusual places. At the Y, at the airport, at a Love’s truck stop, and in someone’s front yard. I hugged and prayed with a sobbing man a week ago, filling up with gas at a 7/11. Conversations come easy for me. It’s how God made me.
How about you? God formed YOU just like He did Jeremiah and me. What do you think your calling is? Maybe God’s made you to be a listener. Maybe God’s made you to be a helper. Maybe God’s formed you to be a behind-the-scenes prayer warrior. Maybe God’s shaped you to be someone who is a caregiver, or someone who loves to visit people in the hospital, or someone who is a text-encourager. Think about what you love to do. Think about what it is that when you do it, you think to yourself, “I love doing that.” When God puts it in your wiring, it’s more than just a trait. It’s your calling. That’s God’s Word for you today.