New Creations in Christ!
Oct 6, 2009
Last Sunday, I, along with 38 other brothers and sisters at our church, were baptized altogether in a never-before-seen mega-baptism service at Willard. Behind the scenes, the baptism candidates watched staff members like Suzanne rally us together to instruct us how, not just how to properly get dunked in the water, but also the basics of learning how to count and read! Here’s what I mean:
While the baptism candidates were anxiously making sure that (1) our card was not upside-down (2) we were flipping at the right time (did you see Suzanne in the front, cueing us?) (3) we were looking happy (and not grave) (4) our card read the right word at the right time… and so much more! I only found out later how impacting and moving the entire performance was… Fortunately, while on stage, I was able to be touched and blessed to see some audience members (like Pastor Ed) wiping away tears. Looking now at the pictures, and seeing how Christ transformed the hearts of so many brothers and sisters in such specific ways, brings me so much JOY.
After the testimonies and skit, we had to prepare to get ourselves wet. Really really wet.
The experience was a blur — one second we’re praying, and the next I’m being pulled out of the water: free from the chains of sin and alive in Christ. What a thrill! Although I was nervous of messing up (like saying my name wrong — I mean, there were three Elaines: we can totally confuse ourselves too!), God was faithful and all of 39 us were baptized!
Looking back now, God is definitely so faithful and abundantly loving. Although many of the candidates, myself especially, still struggle so much with indwelling sin in our lives, God blessed us by telling us He wanted us as His people, regardless of how tarnished we were in His sight. As all of us were met outside by a swarming mass of people eager to shower us with love, I was reminded again of how grateful I am to Jesus to redeem me in this way. If I were God, I would never forgive myself for being the way I am, but because I’m not and God is good, I am not only forgiven, I am restored with each new day.
Thanks everyone, who illustrated to me what God’s love is like. This baptism was definitely no celebration of anything I’ve accomplished, but only what God was able to do with a broken soul! PTL!
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I was very touched at the baptism service to see how God has transformed you and all the others who were baptized. God is truly good.
PTL for all the baptisms!
And just seeing the cards being flipped over it was a very powerful experience.
I was really moved during the card flipping. It filled me with conviction that the transforming power of the Gospel is indeed our deepest need that no power of this world can provide.
Congrats Elaine, thanks for sharing about your baptism experience! It was definitely a moving experience watching each other those 39 lives get flipped around-
praise God!! thanks for sharing elaine.
thanks for writing about this elaine – it was a real privilege to be able to witness you and all the others geting baptized on Sunday!
God is so good and im so thankful for each of the baptism candidates!
i totally cried when i saw you up there elaine >< so thankful for how God has led you and all the baptism candidates to Him and just freed from yourselves!