I flat ironed my hair, put on makeup, grabbed my Brady jersey out of my closet, put in my favorite earrings, and made my way to Dunkin Donuts.
I can still feel the breeze from my truck window and taste the pumpkin iced coffee that was sweating in my right hand.
Hannah texted me earlier that morning, unfortunately she was down with the flu and would not be able to make it to church.
Matthew West was blaring in the background, as I clicked on my turn signal to take the left towards Cornerstone.
The baptism baths were set up outside, near the youth building.
“How incredible, they’re baptizing the younger kiddos today”
Pastor Tim walked up on stage, and I made myself comfortable in the purple chairs. How fitting, our youth pastor is about to tell us ALL about the youth that have made the decision to accept Christ into their lives.
The next 30 minutes are a blur… but here is the best recollection I can manage…
PT: “It does not matter if you took time to do your hair today, or you have on makeup, Jesus does not care”
Cole: But I’m wearing my Brady jersey
PT: “we have t shirts and shorts for you, so you do not need to worry about ruining your clothes”
Cole: But NOBODY is here with me… not my best friends, not my parents, not my sister.. nobody
PT: “this is a relationship between YOU and Christ.. this is between YOU and him”
Cole: ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! *tosses head back in purple chair..while simultaneously sinking as small as possible
PT: “we are about to begin closing worship, as we start, if you feel led, like this is your next decision, today is the day, walk out that door, and take the next step”
My feet were moving faster than my brain. My right hand shaking as I declared on a piece of paper that today was the day I, Nicole Murray, was going to make the most intimate yet public announcement that would then open up countless doors of my future and begin the most beautiful relationship I have ever encountered.
I was prayed over..heart racing..
I walked towards the white tent and almost zoomed right past Fred, my life group leader.. and jumped with anticipation as I let him in on what was about to happen within my soul. He graciously promised to take photos of the event, and gave me some words of encouragement.
I walked into the tent, stood behind the curtain, threw on my “declare” t shirt and black shorts and neatly packed my prized jersey into the brown paper bag.
I was handed a tag with a number, so I could receive my items afterwards.
I stepped up into the bath, and felt so right, so loved, so worthy. I declared my following and was dunked backwards.
Body shaking the entire time, not from the water temperature, but from the surrealness of the entire day.
I do not remember much after this, I remember Fred showing me the pictures, I remember calling my sister, I remember calling a lot of people, I remember getting in my truck, I remember blasting “All In” the entire 20 minutes home. I remember walking in the door of our 3rd floor apartment in Tempe.. hair soaked.. looking to my left to Sarah, Kyle, and Matt on the couch and shouted “I JUST GOT BAPTIZED”.
The rest of the day was bliss. It was sunny. We went Frisbee golfing. We went to Native… I think? Maybe? I can’t remember…. But I CAN remember waking up that morning and thinking “It’s a good day to have a good day”.
I’ve been following since then, without stepping backwards, and it has lead me to a laundromat in the middle of Medellin, Colombia.. where I get to share this story with as many people as my voice permits.
Jesus is so cool guys. He loves, unconditionally, with a full heart, and His Dad has some pretty sweet plans for your life if you’re willing to be “All In”.
Love y’all,
Cole
