A Beautiful Baptism

     I went to see a friend get baptized today at the church he is about to join.  I have seen many baptisms in my life, of friends and family at many different churches, but this one was different for some reason.  This individual is about to go through a divorce unless God intervenes in a radical way.  Having walked down that path, he is in an incredibly difficult place right now on all levels, and the end isn't exactly close on the horizon.  He has not been a Christian for very long--only a few months.  In fact, it has basically been this breakdown in his marriage at the culmination of a long list of events the Lord has used to bring him to Christ.  I knew this individual a few years ago, before he became a Christian, reconnected with him just this week, and the difference is profound.  His joy for the Lord is noticeable, his passion for the things of God inspiring.  It was an indescribable privilege to be present at his public profession this day.

     I think part of it was the nature of the church and the service itself.  Prior to the baptism, the baptismal candidates have submitted written testimonies to be read on their behalf.  The testimony is read, and you hear in their own words how God has romanced them, drawn them to Himself, brought them to this day.  Each candidate makes the confession "Jesus is Lord" before they follow him into the water.  As a congregation it is their tradition to say with the pastor the familiar declaration: "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."  In between each there was the chorus of just a couple of lines proclaiming only the blood of Christ is enough to cover our sin.  In short, the whole process draws you in, so that you feel the communal nature of what is taking place.

     I appreciated all of it greatly, but I think the thing that will stand out the most to me about the baptism today was being introduced to my friend's mother after the service.  Tears of joy are running down her face as I say to her how fantastic this was, and she responds, "Yes it was, and it has been a long time coming."  I cannot begin to understand how many tears she has shed, how many prayers she has prayed prior to this day.  How great is the God we serve!  I realized then that what made this baptism so special, so beautiful to me was that in the grace of God I got to be a part of the story.  Knowing the journey that brought him here, having the opportunity to participate in this new walk, that is what made it so beautiful.  It has challenged me in a new way to share my faith, to invite others, both for their own salvation, but also (and I guess this is a little selfish) so that I can see more beautiful baptisms.