Just Doing My Job - Labor Day Devotion from Ricky

Labor Day is a day when we celebrate work—the jobs we’ve done, the careers we’ve built, and the contributions we’ve made. But I've been thinking about something a little deeper.

There have been a lot of times in my life when I thought I was just doing my job.

Twenty-five years in the Navy. Ship repair. Leadership. Responsibility. Long hours. Difficult assignments. And then God opened doors into ministry—into serving people publicly and privately, sharing the Gospel, encouraging the hurting, and simply being available when somebody needed someone to walk beside them.

Looking back, I realize something: God was preparing me all along.

Every assignment taught me something.

Every difficult season strengthened me.

Every challenge equipped me for the next one.

And there were plenty of times I wanted to turn around and RUN! 

Times I wanted to stop.

Times I wanted to slow down.

Times I was ready to quit and walk away.

But then God.

Then God reminded me that I wasn't walking this road by myself. He placed Godly people in my life who prayed for me, encouraged me, lifted me up when I was down, corrected me when I needed it, filled me with wisdom, and sometimes simply walked beside me.  Those people became part of God's equipment in my life.

And that's what makes what I do today so fulfilling. I don't simply get to go to work.

I get to serve.

I get to encourage somebody who is hurting.

I get to pray with someone who doesn't know where to turn.

I get to tell somebody that Jesus hasn't forgotten them.

I get to remind people that there is still hope.

And I can honestly say, I didn't plan all of this. God did. He took a sailor, a ship-repair guy, a leader, a husband, a friend, a pastor—and He kept adding another chapter.

The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 to “present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed.”

That's what I want to be. An approved workman.

Not perfect.

Not always strong.

Not always sure of the next step.

But willing.

Willing to keep going when God says go.

Willing to slow down when He says wait.

Willing to change direction when He says turn.

Because I've learned something: When God equips you, He may not tell you where the path is going—but He will give you what you need for the next step.

So this Labor Day, whatever your job may be, don't think you're “just doing your job.”

You may be exactly where God has equipped you to be.

And if you're tired today… if you've thought about quitting… if you're wondering whether your work really matters…Remember these two words: But God.

That's where my story changed. And I believe that's where somebody else's story can change too! This Labor Day, don't underestimate your assignment. You may think you're just doing a job—but God may be preparing you for something you can't see yet. Keep walking. Keep serving. Keep trusting. Because you never know what's waiting around the corner… when God is leading the way.