And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world. Acts 1:7-8 MSG

DEVOTION

On a Sunday morning, not long ago, my wife, Jenny (Crossings Kids Pastor), and I had to be strategic with our three boys to get ready, loaded up, and out the door a little earlier than normal. The plan was discussed the night before. Our phone alarms were set. As we woke up and got moving, everything was smooth sailing. We even left our house a few minutes EARLY! However, as we were driving to the OKC campus, I made a grave mistake. 

That might be an exaggeration...

I missed the exit to pick up the donuts! 

That’s right. As I was trucking down the turnpike, I totally forgot we needed to make this stop for some sweet treats celebrating volunteers in the Crossings Kids area. I had to drop them all off and backtrack!

Have you found yourself on “autopilot” in moments like this? 

• You move and take the turn to go into your old neighborhood.
• It’s a day off work and you open up your inbox.
• You show up somewhere on the wrong day of the week.

Similarly, in my faith, I have one area in particular I realize I’ve been in somewhat of an autopilot mode. I realized it during our Build a Life that Matters series when Marty Grubbs was discussing the early church. In the first chapter of Acts, Jesus’ last words were: 

“And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world” (Acts 1:7-8 MSG).

I imagine Jesus and his disciples standing on the Mount of Olives, a cemetery with some of the most prominent kings buried close by. The resurrected Savior, alive, talking to them as they gazed into the distance, dreaming of a different city, a return to Jewish rule, a kingdom they could call their own.  

Jesus’ followers were still anticipating the oppressive Roman government to be physically overthrown. Instead, he told them that with the Holy Spirit, it was their turn to go out and love people like he does. They were building a new kingdom—a very different version of what they expected. 

Then Jesus left.

It would all start in the neighborhoods, in their city: Jerusalem. 

If Jesus calls me to GO and invest in others, then I have to be honest with you: I hit “autopilot” mode with people who live right beside me and on my street. I don’t have to travel across the city, state, country, or world to fulfill his commission. So what am I doing about it? What do I do with this burden that God has made clear? Well, I am starting with a few simple things:

• When I run in the mornings, I am praying as I pass by the homes. 
• I started a private Facebook group for the ten families on our street.
• We are hosting themed Front Porch Parties at a different house each month.

Start simple. It’s time to go and invest in others.

PRAYER

God, 

Let us see people like you see them. May we rely on your Spirit to give us the ability to love and serve the people we live closest to, spend the most time with at work, go to school with, etc. Give us the excitement and passion to be a part of neighborhoods, businesses, and schools being transformed by the love of Jesus! 

Amen.

 Blake Sabiston

Connections Pastor

bsabiston@crossings.church

Blake Sabiston serves as a Connections Pastor at Crossings. The Connections Team loves to creatively help someone identify their next step of faith and take it! From a first-time guest to someone discovering how God has wired them to serve, it’s so fun to watch someone join in what God is doing in and through the Crossings community.

RESOURCES

• Build a Life That Matters series
• Bible Reading Plan - Being a Good Neighbor
• The Art of Neighboring
• "What Kind of Neighbor Do You Want to Be?" sermon message