To Be Baptized or Not To Be Baptized

I grew up Catholic and was baptized when I was a baby. Its been on my heart to be baptized again. Over the last five or six months almost every time I open my bible someone is being baptized. I feel like God was telling me to take the plunge.

At first I was a little uncomfortable about the whole thing. I’ve been active in my church and I volunteer at a faith based place that helps people in poverty. I coach a group that prays with people about their problems and helps them through their situations in a tangible way. I know most of the staff at church and lots of the congregation. I would say to myself “Everyone knows whose side I’m on; I live an obedient life. But am I being obedient?” So pride was a big hurtle.

At the church I belong to they baptize people once a quarter and last November I couldn’t attend a class my church requires before taking the big plunge. I had mixed feelings about not being able to attend. The class is always on the Wednesday before the Sunday pool party. I work out of town so I thought I wouldn’t be able to attend the class until I could find a job in town.

I had a job interview and needed to do some things in town so I took last week off. After being home for a few days I realized that it was baptism week so I decided to be baptized. I asked my pastor if he had any problems with dunking over weight people in the pool and he felt like my buoyancy would help him get my head back out of the water before I required additional air. So I was set.

I set my pride aside, well mostly, and went for it. The Senior Pastor had just returned from a mission trip in Nigeria. He witnessed the drilling of the first well our church dug in an area that had no access to clean water. He brought back a bottle of the water from the well and poured it into the baptismal and the celebration began.

I was third in line and was letting Jesus know that I was surrendering through prayer. The church contemporary Christian band was rocking out worship music. My pastor led me into the pool, said a quick prayer and dunked me into the water. I haven’t felt the same since.

I came out feeling lighter and I have a sensation around me that I can’t describe. The feeling is a cleaner sense but much more than what I can explain. When I read the bible or hear a song about Christ it means so much more. I didn’t expect any of this. It was just a plunge in water… right? It has meant so much more.