May 13, 2012

Today was a day I'll never forget and will rank in the top most amazing days of my life. Today I was baptized in the ocean at BCM Beachweek.
I've literally been in church since being in the womb. I grew up in Christian school associating my A's with angels, B's with Bethlehem, and C's with Christ but didn't truly understand what it meant to accept the love and grace of Christ into my heart until I was 11. At this time, there was no definite place for me to outwardly express this with baptism. I knew that God and I were on the same page as to knowing the perfect time would come.
The issue of baptism weighed heavy on my mind all through high school and followed me into college. In October the Holy Spirit convicted my heart to get baptized out of obedience in my faith. I went to my campus minister, Adam, and we began to discuss options.
As I continued to pray for an opportunity, one arose. I then tried to make things happen in my own time but the Lord showed me I need to rely on Him and His timing. That being said, that opportunity did not happen.
I was broken hearted but knew that God had a plan. I know we've all heard that three million times, but it is so, so true. Adam then came to me yesterday and ask if I would like to be baptized in the ocean at our last service of the week.
I prayed about the opportunity, called my mom, and knew in my heart that this was the time. My momma said the most amazing thing to me after I told her, despite the fact she'd be absent: "Thank you for giving me the most amazing Mother's Day present"; shows the importance of baptism not only for the Lord and myself, but even for my family.
This morning the rain starting coming down, the sun went behind the clouds, and Satan tried to do so many things to prevent me from following through with this crucial and exciting time in my faith. Adam and I met and in the midst of prayer he ask God for cooperating weather, and of course my God provided.
The last thing I wanted was for my friends to have to sit out on the beach in the rain. When six o'clock came, not only had the temperature warmed up, but the rain split on both sides of where we were sitting: not a drop fell on any of us. As Adam and I walked out into the waves (which I'm terrified of the ocean, btw) I can't even begin to say everything that was going through my head. I do remember Adam telling me to look at the waves as God's grace and how it continues to abound time and time again. The moment came when the waves were "just right" and I was dunked back and brought up out of the ocean.
The tears flowed as I walked back to the sand to be greeted by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I was given so many hugs by my friends who were there to witness this defining moment in my walk with Christ. I'd like to collectively thank each of ya'll.
I'm so excited that I've finally gotten to be obedient to the Lord. I've outwardly expressed the fact that I know I cannot reach my Heavenly home without the never ending grace of Jesus. I was born into this world a sinner and will continue to sin until I take my last breath, but everyday I will try my hardest to resemble Christ more and more. Today is the a new beginning and a huge leap in my walk with Christ. I cannot wait to see how the Lord guides and uses me for His glory. I live on this Earth to do nothing but that. There are times when I lose sight of the real reason I am given each day,but always have to come back to putting others before myself and loving with all I have for the sake of the one who promises me eternal life in His kingdom.
I thank the Lord for the opportunity He blessed me with and the group of people He provided to hold me accountable. I pray for each of you that you may find the goodness in a life serving Him. There is no promise of an easy road to travel down, but the joy of Him in your heart is unlike anything else in this entire world. You begin to see things from a different perspective and for a different purpose. I am blessed beyond belief, every day I realize that...more and more.