GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
I'm A Waitin', A Servin' and A Praisin'Lamentations 3:22-23 (CSB)
Dale Johnson authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord alongside his wife, Janelle, for 20 years.
I’m here a waitin’ for my Jesus to return. I’m here a waitin’, and I hope it will be soon. I’m here a waitin’ for that glorious day! I’m here a waitin’ he’ll come someday!
I’m here a servin’ till my Jesus he returns. I’m here a servin’ morning, night and noon! I’m here a servin’ anyone that I can see. I’m here a servin’ till he comes for me.
We’re here a waitin’ for that glorious day! We’re here a waitin’; he told us what to do. I’m here a servin’, how about you? Don’t be lost a waitin!
Get others ready for Jesus to return. Tell others to get ready, for it will be soon. How do I know that? It’s what the Holy Spirit told me! The Spirit said it’s very plain to see.
So, I’m a praisin’; I know it will be soon. The light will come, you see. So, I’m a praisin’, he can’t come too soon. I’m surely a praisin’.
Only Father God knows when he will come, but won’t we be glad to finally see the Son? Till then, the Holy Spirit empowers me. I’m a waitin’, a servin’ and a praisin’ till Jesus comes.
“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!” Lamentations 3:22-23 (CSB)
While you are waiting — where are you serving, and when are you praying this week?
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
Across the Markets
U.S. stocks rose for a second consecutive week. The S&P 500® Index rose 1.5% over the period and closed approximately 20% above the April 8 post-Liberation Day low, roughly only 3% behind its February record. Leading sectors for the week were Communication Services, IT, Energy and Materials, while Consumer Staples, Utilities and Consumer Discretionary lagged. Small-cap stocks were up as well, with the Russell 2000® Index rising 3.2%. The shortest and highest beta positions were among the better performers for the week.
The VIX® Index, which measures short-term U.S. stock market volatility expectations, fell from 18.6 to 16.8, far below a recent peak of 52.3 on April 8.
Treasury yields rose sharply following the May jobs report, with the benchmark 10-year yield ending the week at 4.5%, up from last week’s 4.39%. Spreads tightened to 11 basis points in the high-yield portion of the credit market, ending the week at 300 basis points.
U.S. crude oil prices surged over 6% with positive news about White House-China trade talks supporting prices. The commodity hit a six-week high, reversing modest declines from the past two weeks.
The European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing its deposit rate to 2.0% and marking its eighth cut in the current cycle. ECB President Christine Lagarde signaled that the easing cycle is nearing its end, citing moderating inflation and a “good place” for policy.
Chinese stock markets gained as weak economic data spurred hopes for more government stimulus.
In the Economy
Labor market data and business activity in May pointed to a slowing but still resilient economy. Modest job gains, firm wage growth, and contracting manufacturing and services sectors highlighted ongoing challenges amid persistent trade tensions.
The U.S. economy added 139,000 jobs in May, slightly above expectations. However, downward revisions to prior months and a concentration of gains in health care and hospitality suggest a narrowing labor market. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, but broader indicators such as the quits rate and job openings point to a cautious hiring environment. Wage growth remained firm at 3.9% year-over-year, complicating the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook as inflationary pressures persist despite slowing job creation.
In May, both the ISM Manufacturing and Services indices contracted, with new orders and imports at multi-year lows. Businesses identified tariff-related uncertainty and cost pressures as major challenges, and the prices paid index hit a two-and-a-half-year high.
Construction spending declined for a third straight month, with both residential and non-residential sectors under pressure from high interest rates and rising input costs.
Trade remained a key focus during the week. U.S.–China tensions flared following President Trump’s social media comments and an official increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, raising concerns about increasing protectionism. However, sentiment improved after a Thursday phone call between Trump and President Xi Jinping, which Trump described as having reached “a very positive conclusion for both countries,” offering investors renewed hope for progress in trade negotiations.
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Commentary
• Jun 10, 2025 