On Baptism

I'm going to be baptized tomorrow. I hadn't planned on writing anything on the blog about it until I received an email from our pastor asking if I wanted to speak to the congregation before being baptized in the river. Before that message hit my inbox, I had planned on silently walking into the river and being baptized. I thought it would be an excellent way to witness to other Christians.

And then I got that message.

I read it while I was up with Bailey at two in the morning and God changed my heart as he has so frequently in the wee hours of the morning. I knew, without a doubt, that there is something I'm supposed to say; that walking into the river isn't testament enough.

I couldn't sleep and when I did dream I was filled with stress and longing to know what I should say and do. I know that my baptism is a public act of faith; a testament to believers and unbelievers that the Lord is my savior.

You all know I've struggled for a long time with the concept of witnessing. At first I felt it was wrong to impose myself on others and when I realized the horror they would face without knowing God, I began to fear I would push unbelievers further from Christ by saying or doing the wrong thing. After much prayer and deliberation, I've thrown up my hands; I can do nothing, be nothing and say nothing of consequence without the grace of God. My baptism is a symbol of giving my life to the Lord, that He may use me as He pleases. My life is His and only He can give me the wisdom and the words to help save another soul.

God, I pray you would use me to save another child from being ripped from your love and grace; that You would send me where I am needed, not where I am wanted and that in all things I may give glory to Your name.