Baptism

Last weekend, we went to church on Saturday evening, as we regularly do.  We did not realize that it was a baptism service.  We often have these services at the church throughout the year but this one was different.  This baptism service was organized so that those who wanted to make the decision then and there to be baptized, could make that choice.  As Pastor Trigg began talking, I was attentive but by no means did I believe that I would make a personal decision that evening to be baptized.  I mean really, for those of you who know me, you know that I am a planner.  I don't have much spontaneity in me.  Throughout the sermon, I felt a prompting to stop and really consider the reasons to get baptized and the reasons to not let fear prevent you from making the choice.

For many years, I have seen people get baptized but I have been of the majority, who baptized as an infant, didn't feel I needed to take that step.  I was baptized as an infant and later confirmed.  But on Saturday evening, I felt compelled to reassess that decision and in an act of obedience, I felt called to make the choice - to make a public testimony of what I believe and to be baptized.  A number of things that Pastor Trigg brought spoke about that evening, touched my heart.  I feel so grateful that I was baptized as an infant and that my family raised me in the Lutheran faith that was passed down to them. That means so much to me and is a huge part of who I am today.  Later on in my teen years, attending confirmation was an important part of that heritage and was meaningful to me.  I saw this as a recommitment of my baptism.  After that time, and a church split, I really questioned Christianity and what it meant.  How can these people who taught me Sunday School for years, and helped me to form my understanding of faith, be fighting and lead to the church splitting?  It was a difficult time for me.

I came out of that time - we continued to attend church as a family and I had the strong faith and heritage of my family to support my beliefs, despite the turmoil I was feeling.  In university, I took Religious Studies classes, attended church with my grandparents, and was an active member of the church.  During this time, I continued on in my faith walk.  I learned more about the World Religions but also came to grow deeper in my faith.  I understood more what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  After meeting Terry and attending a couple of evangelical churches over the years, this faith grew and developed.  My journey was also deepened as I taught at Christian schools and was surrounded by people who had similar beliefs.  Many people over the years also helped to challenge me, support me, and grow me in my personal journey.  I have girlfriends who have witnessed to me and walked with me.  All of this, through life's difficulties and joys, has helped me get to the point in my life that I am at.  And, I am not finished yet.  There is so much more to learn and discover on this journey.  Thank you to each of you for being a part of it.