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Every once in awhile, the "other-duties-as-assigned" portion of my job description presents me with interesting opportunities. Recently, I got the task of creating and sending out 31 e-votionals on the theme of call to the staff of the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

Each morning before 9 a.m., I reread the stories of Jonah, Esther, Samuel, Mary, Paul, Elijah, Jeremiah, Abraham, Sarah and Moses and considered how God spiced up their living with an invitation to something remarkable. Their stories were placed into e-mails and became both mirrors and windows to explore God's plans and promise for us.

The devotional series, titled "God beckons," was part of a broader worship experience in which the staff explored together what God is calling them to be and do.

While the calls of Moses and Mary and all the rest provided wisdom and challenge, the devotions soon burst out beyond the biblical stories as the staff began to share their experiences with call.

The Rev. Susan Keirn Kester, a Guide in the Annapolis Southern Region, shared how questions raised by Bishop Leontyne T.C. Kelly cut through her soul like a knife, changing her concept of who she was and who God was expecting her to be.

Sheila Hawkins, the conference receptionist, told about how she is a gifted child of God who feels called to write dramas at St. Matthews UMC in Dundalk, where she is a member. She advised other staff members trying to discern their call, to "find that thing that makes your heart sing."

The Rev. Matt Poole, a Guide in the Western Region, also offered advice.

"When we think about our "call" we think of something big, something life changing or something that requires a life altering experience. We look for a burning bush, listen for an audible voice, or expect a dream to reveal our call. Sometimes in our quest for the miraculous we miss God's call to the mundane," Poole said. "Salt was a commonly used substance in the ancient world. It was used as a preservative, flavoring and purifier. There is nothing miraculous about salt but it is essential to life. It is used in everyday life and often goes unnoticed. Without it we would all die.

"Be salt," he said.

And people were. In small and in significant ways, the staff explored the flavors of their faith and how they were living out God's call. Every two weeks, this exploration went deeper as they met together for worship.

At these services, Bishop John Schol preached a sermon series on call. "You were made to be incredible," he told each staff person and the various visitors who shared in the worship experiences. That message shaped the sharing as people began to sound their calls anew.

"Every call exists for building up the body of Christ and doing ministry," the bishop concluded. "Becoming your call is becoming yourself."

In one of the daily devotions, I quoted author Frederick Buechner, "Neither the hair shirt nor the soft berth will do. The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

Having the opportunity to consider that gladness and hunger each morning was a welcome and insightful duty - assigned or not. It reminded me to listen, to not be afraid when God's plans seemed bolder than my own and that call is a gift that allows us each to become the incredible people God created us to be.

Call questions to ponder

For one of the "God beckons" e-votionals, the Rev. Rod Miller, conference director of connectional ministries, provided a list of questions for thinking about one's call. Among them were:

• What is the most fantastic dream for your life that you have ever had?
• If you were to paint what you are about on a billboard in front of your church, what would you put there?
• What are you resisting in your life right now?
• What metaphors describe you?
• What interests or passions do you keep inside you?
• What practice might help you discern your call? Journaling? Walking in nature? Quiet prayer? Painting?
• Which values are most important to you? Name five and then choose one that is primary.
• What sides of you do you keep private that may offer clues to your calling?
• What difference do you want to make in the world?
• What are you doing when you are at your best?
• What do you want more of in your life?
• Recall a recent learning or insight you had about yourself. What clues does it offer to your call?
• What is your next step in living out your call?