I don't write much poetry these days. In fact, I can't remember the last time I made up more than a couple of silly lines for my children (and those weren't written down) before April of 2013. Amazingly (to me, anyway), I was inspired to write two poems in April. The first was about beautiful and brave mother and friend of mine: http://crystalgarvin.com/2013/04/08/letting-go/

Last Sunday morning, I learned that our church service would conclude with expressing how the Scripture passage and message spoke to us by drawing and/or writing a representation of it. It was suggested that some might be inspired to journal, write a song or poem, doodle, sketch, or do some word art. As soon as the word "poem" was uttered, I thought, "Nope, not me. I just wrote a poem a couple of weeks ago, and I'm just not feeling any more poetry." Then that evening when the application activity was described to the congregation, the word "poem" came up again. This time we were told we only had about 10-15 minutes, and I almost laughed. I always need about an hour to write a poem, and then I have to let it rest for a while, come back, and fix it. I was certain I would not be writing a poem.

I definitively decided upon word art. That sounded fun. First, I wanted to re-read the whole chapter from which our main passage had come. As I did so, I scribbled some notes. When I finished, I turned the page over to do some simple art with the words that had stood out to me the most. We only had about five minutes left.

Much to my surprise, lines of poetry seemingly found me against my will. I couldn't fight it. In about 10 minutes, a poem summing up what has been dubbed the second chapter of Paul's epistle to the Christians at Ephesus lay before me, and I felt like all the energy had been drained from me. I was literally exhausted.

In the next several minutes, I witnessed something beautiful as others shared their written expressions. In about 15 minutes of quiet reflection, this Scripture was turned into a comic strip, a deep thought, words that would speak volumes in a blog, phrases that sound like song lyrics, a portion of a loving sermon, a word-and-art picture somewhat like a poster, and an acrostic of the word "cornerstone" -- another poem. The theme of the evening was finding out what life could look like if we would choose to remain connected and in tune with one another. Our pastor explained how God destined us to play a role in beautiful music being created for us and for those around us, and he used one of my favorite Piano Guys video to demonstrate his point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VqTwnAuHws

So now that you know the rest of the story, following is the poem I wrote last Sunday under the inspiration of Scripture and the Holy Spirit.

"Together in Christ"

By Crystal Garvin, based on Ephesians 2

I was a stranger in a strange land

Until Jesus came and took me by the hand.

I knew I'd never be the same from the moment I saw His face.

He broke the chains that bound me by His blood and by His grace.

I was dead in sin, and my eyes were blind,

But when He made me new I left the old me behind.

Now I'm not a foreigner, and I'm not alone.

Jesus is rebuilding my life, and He is the cornerstone.

I'm a member of His family and am called to share.

It's not just about me; others need to know God is there.

I can choose to keep it to myself, or I can decide

To give of myself, to serve, and with others abide.

We can grow together instead of apart.

His love will bind us like glue as He works in each heart.

Together we can shine His light to the lost.

Let's join hands and share His love -- no matter the cost.