If you look at the four gospels, they each talk about Jesus getting baptized within the first few chapters of the book. This means that before Jesus did anything, he got baptized, publicly declaring who he was.
Jesus calls us all to follow in believer’s baptism, publicly declaring who we believe in and who we live for. Through baptism, we show that we are dead to sin and ourselves but alive to Christ.
My story about baptism is different than most people though.
I got baptized in February of 2012 back at my home church in Michigan in front of my family and friends. During this time, I was going through a period of my life where I thought that I could do life on my own and I didn’t need Jesus all the time. I was living my own life during the week and then attending church on Sundays to make others happy. So why did I get baptized if I didn’t mean it? Unfortunately it was just to please my parents. Every time that our church had baptisms, they would ask me if I was going to get baptized. Finally, I told them that I was going to do it so they wouldn’t ask anymore. I went through the motions that Sunday morning and I could tell that they were so proud of me. I felt awful. Every day since then, I would look at the certificate that I had received and look at the life I was living, clearly not a life that was of God, and I would hate myself.
And now here I am, four and a half years later. After Kory’s death and realizing that I can’t do life alone, I have completely turned my life around. I have fully surrendered my life to God, giving him full control. He has called me to live this year traveling around the world, telling his people about his love, his grace, and his forgiveness.
Even though I am thousands of miles from home, I wanted to start a bible study/book club on ‘Finding Your Voice’ by Natalie Grant with my mom to not only grow my relationship with her, but to also grow as a woman of God. While reading one of last week’s chapters, she had mentioned baptism. “I think for all of us, Jesus made it clear that a public declaration of faith was essential. So essential it should be done first. Before He went into the wilderness, before He taught on a mountainside, Jesus was baptized. He publicly declared whose He was and what He was all about.” I read these words and my heart ached. I was living my life for Him now, living a life on mission, all with a fake declaration of faith done years ago. I wanted to publicly declare that I live my life for Him, I am a daughter of the Most High, and that I believe that He is my Savior.
The idea of getting baptized again on the Race had been dancing around in my head for several months. But as I read those words, I knew that now was the time. I was going to publicly declare that I am dead to sin and myself and now alive to Christ. This realization came on Tuesday afternoon and I knew that we had plans to go to a waterfall with our pastor’s family on Saturday. I was going to get baptized in a waterfall in Africa, surrounded by my team and pastor’s family, both of which have turned into family. When I told them of what I felt like God was calling me to do, they all screamed, saying how proud they were of me and I couldn’t help but smile and think that I’m so happy that I’ll get to share this moment with these people.
It was Saturday morning and we were all getting ready for a big adventure day to the falls. I looked down at my watch and that’s when I noticed the date. It was October 1st. Ever since Kory’s death [which was on the first of the month], most first days of the month are very emotional and have a darker mood that comes along with it. But not this one. Without my knowledge, the Lord had put that day on my heart to bring a good, memorable experience and celebration to happen on the first.
We reached the falls and I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was. I was able to spend a few moments just staring at them, thanking God for this day and the new life he gave me.
Pastor led us all through a prayer for our time at the falls and for my life. I then chose for us all to sing 10,000 reasons, which as a team, we have sang several times this month for the people of the church so it had a special connection with me this month. Pastor spoke scripture over me before Cat led me into the water to baptize me. As I came up out of the water, I could imagine God saying, “This is my daughter, whom I love. With her, I am well pleased.”
