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.

DEVOTION 

Gentle Whisper

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!

PRAYER

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.

 RESOURCES

• Sermon series: "Some Things Gotta Give"
• Venue Worship Song: Your Great Love
• View the 2021 Impact Report and/or make your 2022 commitment