Wednesday, 30 November 2005
My Baptism
My baptism is this Saturday. I was not baptised as a child, although I was christened. I am glad of this, as some churches, including the Methodist Church, apparently do not allow the baptism to be performed twice.
I have been informed that I will be asked to say a few words about why I want to be baptised. I am writing this to try to decide what I am going to say. I am publically posting it here, as I hope my words may have some value.
For me, to be baptised is to publicly acknowledge my faith in Christ as Saviour and Lord. I have believed in the Holy Trinity for a long time, but until now the idea of being baptised has never been mentioned to me. I never really thought about it; I guess I thought baptism is what happens to babies and so I had missed my chance. I am therefore very joyful to be given this opportunity.
Throughout my life I have tried to follow the path that God has prepared for me. This has not always been easy, as there have been times when He has seemed silent - although this has never actually been the case - or when I have been afraid of what He asked of me. Yet God has never left me. When I have listened and obeyed, His Love has helped me through trouble and I have discovered how right He was all along.
Now that I have moved to Devon, I have the task of finding a church where I feel 'at home'. I will not deny that I am finding this difficult, and as a result have felt a little lost at times. I like having a Church family for support, and hearing sermons that make me think and develop my faith. Yet this time of not being grounded in one church has meant that I am talking to Him more, and feeling closer than ever before. I have realised just how much He is guiding me right now, and I am beginning to understand why my doubts are so foolish.
I worry. All the time. About every little thing. I need God's peace to calm me down and allow me to trust in Him. I know that I need to ask for forgiveness for my doubts, among other things, and I do. I do not feel that I need to be baptised before God will forgive me - He already has.
The baptism ceremony will be a declaration of my faith and my acceptance that there are things in my life for which I need forgiveness and guidance. My whole life needs His guidance. I want to give my life to Him.
That is what this service is about. Those are my reasons. That, and 'A Tale Of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. That book opened my eyes to the meaning of John 11:25 like never before. I strongly urge everyone to read that book.
"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."
If I forget all else, I will never forget those words and what they mean to me. Christ is my Saviour, and that is why I am getting baptised on Saturday.
