I sat on the edge of the pool, taking in the scene around me. People standing in worship, others were sitting around the pool, the clear, dark sky calm after a rainstorm. I pray to Papa, thanking him for what He’s done and continues to do along this journey and in this short weekend of the Awakening conference. I turn to my good friend, Paige, and whisper “My heart is beating out of my chest and my hands are shaking, I think I should go…but there are an awful lot of people here.” Being the go-getter that she is, she gets me up off the side of the pool and we go to get in line.
We were ending the Awakening- a conference that combined multiple squads and hosts for a time of learning, worship, rest, and ministry. Gary Black, co-founder of the World Race and a man who has dedicated his life to our generation, had led us in sessions and was ending the conference with an invitation to any and all who wanted to take the next step and be baptized. I entered the pool area ready to admire and observe all that the Lord was doing in people’s hearts- cheering on those who were being baptized. Little did I know, the Lord had more planned for me- as he so often does.
It’s funny, because when I first entered the pool area to sit by some squad mates, 3 of them at different times looked at me and said, “Sylvia- you going to be baptized?” I responded with a laugh and a “No. I’ve been baptized.” I had been baptized as a junior in high school, not too long after I accepted Christ. Before leaving for the World Race, I had thought about what it would look like to be baptized knowing what I know now, but always shrugged it off. When I was baptized as a teenager, I didn’t know the full weight of what that meant. I knew that it was the next step to committing my life to Christ. In sharing my story with squad mates, I’d said a lot over these past 4 months “I wish I would have done it knowing full well what I was committing to and how special it is.”
So in this moment around the pool, the Lord was calling me out. He whispered gently of all the things I’ve walked through with him in the past 8 years. Of how much of his love that I’ve experienced and truly come to know. Of how much I’ve grown and really gotten to know the Holy Spirit in just this past year. Of how much more he has for me. He was stirring my heart and I just needed to listen.
So, as Paige led me by the hand, I walked to the edge of the pool. I shrugged off the doubt of voices telling me “This is silly. You shouldn’t do this, you’re probably just caught up in the moment.” Instead I listened to the voice of Papa calling me out in love “Come in, daughter. This is the beginning of more. Of you proclaiming and stepping out in faith knowing the full weight and cost. A sign of your continued “Yes.”
So, on April 28, 2017 I was baptized again- knowing full well the weight and the cost of doing so. Having counted the costs and experienced Papa’s love. Following Christ may cost everything- but He’ll always be worth it.
Friends, there’s freedom and redemption in the arms of the Father. Hope and a love like no other. Following him costs you everything, but in the end what you gain is worth it all. Whatever the Lord is stirring in your heart, lean in and listen. Follow where he leads.
If you aren’t sure of this hope or love that I speak of, just ask. I’d love to share it with you- it’s not meant to stay contained.
