Baptism…What exactly does this mean? The term was
completely foreign to me until my early years of high school. Since I didn’t
spend my childhood days in church, it was not talked about among my family or
friends and really held no importance in my life.
Mid-way through high school I grew fonder and fonder of
Jesus and committed to pursuing a relationship with God. My life radically
changed. I was like a sponge and soaked up everything I could and was exposed
to the fullness and joy that flows from a relationship with God.
It was not until two years after I devoted myself to
Christ that I felt compelled to participate in Baptism. I had watched many
people enter the wading pool and break through the water with an exuberant
expression of freedom. I was
really happy for others, but never felt compelled to make the same decision.
Then, something inside of me sparked. My pastor shared the
opportunity to be baptized later that month. I thought to myself, “I think I
might want to do that.” There was
no specific reason to be baptized, except that I wanted to. My high school
career was coming to a close and I was so excited about my faith and the
transformation that God exhibited in my life. I was ready, in fact eager, to
make a public proclamation to my church family.
I will never forget the Sunday morning when a handful of
us met with the pastor and prayed, walked through the bowels of the church, and
walked into the baptismal pool. Standing in the water, my pastor asked why I
was getting baptized. With abounding joy and a tear in my eye, I shared
confidently with my congregation the love that I felt for God and the fullness
of his presence that I experienced in my life. With that, I rose out of the
water to the cheers and great celebration from my church family. It was an
intimate moment between me and God that I got to share with fellow brothers and
sisters in Christ. A moment I will never forget.
Matthew 3:13-17 shares Jesus’ baptism story. Each time I
read it I stand in awe in the power of a moment of union with God. Expressed
from the heavens, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” Nothing pleases God more than intimacy
with his children. What a joy it is to walk in that intimacy!
-Devon is an intern and integral member of the Axis community.
