For many years, I (Kathryn) had this similar feeling, almost indescribable, and it had to do with my baptism. This great sense of excitement and wonder about my baptism started as I began my second or third semester of classes at ODU in norfolk, VA. I was about 20/21 years old and I was growing and being stretched in my faith. At this point in my life, I was getting settled in college and I was being delivered from a fear that I had been living with for over a couple of years. I was really sensing and feeling the goodness of God and love being poured out over me. This made me reflect heavily on my Christian life and walk with God.
I was baptized when I was about 11 years old or so...I can't remember the exact age. We had changed churches and the Pastor took some time to visit us in our home and discuss Baptism with me and my sisters. Soon after, we were all baptized. I remember this being a special day: my family was present, my sisters and I being baptized together, starting our life in a new youth group, a new church. Life was good.
But in college, as I was reflecting back, I just don't remember being completely sold out and aware of the real meaning. Being delivered from this fear that I had been living with, I was ready to go before God and present myself wholly unto Him and be a witness for His namesake. I was eager to be baptized, cleansed: forgetting the old and being made new. I began to pray, spend time in the Word and journal about my desire to be baptized.
Last September, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to share His Gospel in the jungle of Ecuador with a team from North Carolina. To be a part of a mission trip like this has been my desire for many years. To make a long story short, we arrived in the Jungle to live among the Ashuar tribe for a short period of time. While we were there, 2 Ashuar Indians had inquired about being baptized. They wanted to learn more about baptism and them physically be baptized themselves. I shared with Dan Clowers my desire to be baptized one day, and the question arose...why not now?
I wish I could describe to you the feeling. It honestly felt like the best birthday present anyone could ever receive. There I was, in his perfect timing, in the perfect place...in an Amazon River tributary...I was being baptized with two Ashuar Indians on the foreign mission field surrounded by my brothers and sisters in Christ.
God has made us for a purpose. First and foremost, we are to to be constantly growing and molded into the image of Jesus Christ. Secondly, we weren't made by happenstance. We were made because He has a plan for each of us; to give us hope, a future, peace, and an expected end. During our journey on this Earth, He wants to use us. His Word says in Habakkuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed, for I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe...even if you were told."
Don't sit back and miss out on the life, blessings, victory and power that He has for you. Seek Him, know His voice. Live a life of expectation and prayer. Watch God move. I did and I still am. We aren't perfect, but He is and always will be.
Check out this video of my summer in peru and Ecuador...at 5:30 you can see my baptism.
Be a part of a move of God. Join in the ministry at HSM with us, there are so many ways to get involved. You can always e-mail us and let us pray for you (vicars4missions@gmail.com). We look forward to hearing from you and thanks for all your continual prayer and financial support!
So that all may know Him,
Kathryn
1 comments:
Oh my goodness! I can't believe you posted something about this very topic!
I am going through this with Dusty right now. He says he was "baptized" before, and that it's silly that the church we just joined is making him do it again, but I can't seem to get through to him that he was "baptized" as a child, and that adult baptism is a public profession of faith, and very important and symbolic. I was 16 when I was first baptized, but 11 when I gave my life to the Lord. It is so so important and valuable to wait until you're aware of all the significance, as you point out in your post. Dusty's mother is Catholic, and is unfortunately fairly negative about Dusty "doing this again", as she feels. When my feeling is, he's never really done it the first time. Reading your post really encouraged me to keep trying to get through to Dusty! I will be in prayer about your upcoming missions opportunities and trips! Have a good weekend, Kathryn!
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