Last week I was looking out over the beautiful Swazi hills at our homestead and the thought occurred to me several times … maybe I should be baptized again now that I am a big kid and know what I’m committing my life to. My confirmation came on Good Friday while sitting in a lapa in Gary and Lisa Black’s backyard. Gary announced that after our teaching we would have the opportunity to be baptized by Andrew Shearman, “The General.” Andrew had been treating us to some challenging teachings the last several days on receiving our inheritance in Christ. As soon as the offer was on the table my heart was jumping up in my chest saying “yes!”
I was baptized the first time when I was around 4 years old. I remember getting to leave the toddlers room and go up to “big church” to be baptized with my baby brother, Sam. I remember Pastor Short laying his hands on my head and knowing that it was a big day. That was a special day and God was there and remembers my first baptism. But it’s been 20 years since that day… in that interval I’ve known who God was, spent some years running from who He wants me to be, and finally come to know him. It was time for my big kid baptism.
So I hopped into the pool with The General, surrounded by my world race brothers and sisters and some spiritual Mothers and Fathers. When he asked my full name my sister, Colleen, shouted it from the crowd. I was able to profess my faith knowing fully what it means as an adult. As I was dunked in the pool I received freedom from the past and a reminder of my eternal washing in the blood of Christ.
As Andrew said last week “Jesus is free, but Christ will cost you everything.” I committed to everything. I’m in. I’m swimming in the mystery and learning to love the wild incomprehensible love of Jesus.
“If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold; the new has come.” 2 Cor 5:17
