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Devotional | Blake Bastin | Jan 30, 2022
Introduction: As I reflected on my relationship with my Lord and Savior, the way God leads the church, and the role each of us plays here at Crossings as we commit to being active participants in this body, my mind drifted to these words. God is capable of doing amazing works, even inspiring my rational and analytical mind to write words of poetry.
I’ve searched inside, I’ve looked within
How else can one find the wisdom of this world?
In search of meaning, of peace, why do I keep finding despair?
I’ve called out to the deep and it says, “It is not in me”
My eyes seek the horizons of the ocean and it responds “It is not with me”
I raise my voice to the sky, but I know not who I am speaking to
Longing for passion, I find pain
Seeking comfort, I stumble into the depths of chaos
The world has promised more, always more, but anxiety and longing are all that finds me
But in the silence, I hear a gentle whisper
What was that voice, so silent but strong?
What is that persistent echo now ringing in my soul?
This is not the way my child
This path leads only to more pain, to strife, to death
Trust not in the lies you’ve been told, trust in me
For before the creation of this world, I AM
My ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts
Have but a little faith, taste and see, the LORD is good
Turn dear child, follow me
I turn, I surrender
You have redeemed my soul from going down into the pit
And my life shall now look upon the light
Back, back in the direction of the whisper, the Word I hear illuminates my path
The Word grows deeper and deeper, penetrating my heart
The path grows ever lighter and I see
I am no longer alone
There are others with me on this way
I look in front and they are there, footsteps to follow
Glimpsing to my right and they are there, keeping me on the way
Behind me even more are there, in case I stumble
It is not “I” any longer, it is “we”
Not “me” any longer, it is “us”
Who are you, dear friends?
When did you get here?
Who sent you to help me on this path?
Not just friends
We are your brothers and your sisters
We were your teacher as a child, showing you compassion
Your doctor when you were sick
The family that never ceased praying for you when you were lost
Who fed you when you were hungry
Those that visited your family in prison
And treated you fairly and with dignity at work
We loved you when you didn’t know love
He is the one who sent us, with that oh so gentle whisper
To prepare this path that you are on today
God has been at work, for all of time, making possible this great way
We are the church, the hands and feet of our great Lord and savior
I had no hope, yet your voice has provided
Why do I deserve this love of yours?
What have I done to merit your favor?
We are united in the same unimaginable grace
Known by love solely because he loves us
We are saved by the same blood, spilt on the cross
How else could we respond to such compassion and mercy?
Brothers, sisters, what shall I now do?
Come with us, let us gather together often
Join our voice in songs of joy and praise!
For the LORD is good
Let us encourage each other and be strengthened in our love
Search his great Word and cultivate this growing faith of ours
For great is the work of the LORD
And just as he called us to prepare your path
So too will he call you, for others must find this way
Come and be strengthened in this body
Be ready, for you will go out into the world, just as we have for you
You too will be the teacher, the doctor, the friend
The one who prays for others
You will care when the world does not
And practice justice and mercy
Follow the ancient path, help more along his way
Yes, LORD, Yes LORD, Yes LORD
You alone are worthy
I lift up my voice
We lift up our voice
Great is the LORD!
Lord, we stand before you as your children, those who heard your gentle whisper, those who get to take part in the oldest of stories. May you give us the strength to resolve these commitments we make to your church. Let us commit to gather together and worship you, let us commit to grow in our faith, and let us commit to go out into this world and invest in others. We recognize our faith, our obedience, our love has consequences for generations. Thank you for letting us be a part of your great work of redemption. Amen.
Blake Bastin
Executive Pastor
bbastin@crossings.church
Blake Bastin serves Crossings as the Executive Pastor of Ministry and Operations.