Jesus Can Use your Vocation For His Glory
Rob Teel
Chief Technology Officer at State of Oklahoma
Vacations often serve as a time for rest and relaxation, but for those walking in faith, even these moments can become opportunities for God to work. In a recent episode of Anchoring Hope, David hosted Rob Teel, a chaplain and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) from Oklahoma City. Rob shared his inspiring journey of faith, highlighting how Jesus can transform ordinary experiences—like a vacation or even daily routines—into extraordinary moments of spiritual growth and ministry. This blog explores the insights from their discussion, emphasizing how Christ can use any part of our lives for His glory.
The Role of a Chaplain: Serving Wherever You Are
Rob Teel’s unique role as both a CTO and a chaplain demonstrates how God uses us in diverse environments. A chaplain is a spiritual guide, offering support to people in a wide variety of circumstances. For Rob, this means ministering to service members and their families in the U.S. military, providing spiritual care in places as diverse as combat zones and hospital rooms.
“Chaplaincy is about meeting people where they are,” Rob explained. Whether it’s offering marriage counseling, praying with families, or supporting someone in a crisis, chaplains bring Christ into situations where He might not otherwise be invited. “We are vocational ministers to people working in the field, often in places where traditional church services aren’t an option.”
This flexibility is a powerful reminder that ministry doesn’t have to be confined to a church. Like Jesus meeting people on their journeys, we are called to reflect His love in every setting.
God’s Providence in Leadership
Rob’s journey into chaplaincy was marked by divine guidance and an openness to God’s plan. Raised in a Christian home, he experienced a radical encounter with Jesus at age 14, transforming his life. Later, during basic training in the Air Force, he discovered his calling to be a chaplain. “People kept coming to me for prayer,” he said, recalling how his faith became a beacon for others.
Despite his dual career in technology and ministry, Rob views his leadership roles as interconnected. “Being a good leader isn’t just about technical skills,” he said. “It’s about loving people, respecting them, and helping them find their purpose.” For Rob, biblical principles like kindness and humility are essential to effective leadership.
Rob’s testimony underscores that God can use our careers, even in secular fields, as platforms for His glory.
Using Vacations for God’s Glory
Vacations might seem like a time to “turn off” from life’s responsibilities, but Rob emphasized that they can also be opportunities for spiritual reflection and ministry. Whether it’s a chance conversation with a stranger or quality time with family, vacations allow us to witness God’s work in unexpected ways.
“When we open our hearts to Christ, He can use every moment for His kingdom,” Rob shared. He encouraged listeners to stay attuned to the Holy Spirit, even during leisure. “You never know how God might use you in someone else’s life—whether it’s offering a kind word or simply being a reflection of His light.”
Vacations, Rob reminded us, are also a time to reconnect with God. By dedicating moments of quiet reflection and prayer, we can return to our daily lives spiritually rejuvenated and more attuned to His will.
Staying Humble Amid Success
As a bivocational leader, Rob often balances the challenges of high-level technology roles with his ministry calling. This dual responsibility requires constant humility and a reminder that all success comes from God. “It’s easy to think the good things in our lives come from our own efforts,” Rob said. “But the truth is, it’s God working through us.”
He highlighted the importance of practices like taking communion and daily prayer to combat pride. “When you take communion, it reminds you of Christ’s sacrifice and helps you refocus on His grace,” Rob explained. He also emphasized the need to forgive others and seek forgiveness regularly, keeping one’s heart aligned with God.
By surrendering pride and seeking God’s will, we open ourselves to greater blessings and opportunities to serve.
Walking in God’s Kingdom Daily
Rob and David concluded their conversation by reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer, particularly the phrase, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Rob offered a profound interpretation: “Earth doesn’t just mean the planet—it means us. When we pray for God’s will to be done on earth, we’re asking Him to work through us.”
Living in alignment with God’s kingdom involves embodying the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. Rob encouraged listeners to practice these virtues daily, turning even small acts into reflections of God’s kingdom.
“The world is filled with distractions that try to pull us away from Christ,” Rob said. “But by abiding in Him and staying rooted in His word, we can be His light in every situation.”
Conclusion
Rob Teel’s testimony reveals that Jesus can work through any aspect of our lives—our careers, vacations, and even our struggles. By staying humble, seeking His will, and embracing opportunities for ministry, we allow God to use us for His glory. As Rob beautifully put it, “When you open your heart to Christ, He can use every moment for His kingdom.”
Written by Dhan Ababa
“It’s not me people are drawn to—it’s the Holy Spirit. When you’re walking with Jesus, His light shines through you, and that’s what people see.”
