30 May 2010

A New Creation

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call."  Acts 2:38-39


This morning I was baptized.

I have been wanting this and preparing my heart for this for a long time.

I was raised in the Catholic church and baptized as a baby. I am so grateful to my parents for bringing me up in a loving church and the tradition that I learned  will forever be a part of my life. Although I attended church every week, in high school I started to question my routine. Going to college exposed me to so many other denominations and I love what I found. I found people that I could relate to, celebrating and living a life for Jesus in real and tangible ways. I connected to this kind of faith, but I was hesitant to give up my Catholic background.

I spent most of college attending mass Sunday mornings and then a non-denominational service Sunday evenings. I don't know where or when, but I slowly started to drift from the Catholic church and develop a relationship with Jesus that I had never known before.

The relationship I have with Jesus is not the same as it was when I was little. The faith I have is a trust in an approachable, loving God, instead of the faith I feel I had in ceremony and tradition.

I was baptized this morning and was  made a new creation in Jesus. I wasn't baptized as a member of a denomination or of a religion. I was baptized as a child of Christ and as someone who wants to live radically and fully for the Lord.

I have asked Jesus into my heart time and time again and have gone astray even more times than that. But today I made a commitment to myself and to my Father that for as long as he has planned for me on earth, I will keep seeking, keep trying, keep traveling toward Him.

I will struggle. I will sin. I am forgiven. I am washed clean.

"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved." Mark 16:15-16


 

10 comments:

  1. What a joy, Laura!! Isn't the symbol of baptism such a beautiful thing-- the whole idea of regeneration.. justification.. sanctification! Congrats and may the Lord bless you in the days ahead as you seek to know Him more, and fall more deeply in love with him.

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  2. I'm so happy you've made this commitment to Christ. I don't know what I would do without my faith in our Savior and the true gift of repentance.

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  3. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Blessings to you in your new life with Christ!

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  4. Blessings to you, sister in Christ! I don't know you and just stumbled across your blog through "crafts"...this makes me smile to realize how our God works sometimes. Happy day! ML in Texas

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  5. Oh Laura that is terrific! One of the best things is knowing for sure you will always have a relationship with Christ. We all stumble and fall, and He will pick us right back up. Many blessings on you. :)

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  6. : ), a tear, and applause! I am so happy for you!

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  7. Congrats!! What a beautiful thing! So happy for your and praise the Lord!!

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  8. Yay!!! I was baptized as a baby as well and in high school decided to make the decision for myself. I had my best friend baptize me in a friend's pool surrounded by family and friends. Life hasn't always been easy, but it is nice knowing there is ALWAYS someone to turn to.

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  9. What a beautiful post. In my faith we baptize at 8 years old, not as babies. I remember making the decision to be baptized at that time and what a special thing it was for me. I have since matured in my relationship with my Savior. He is definitely the most important person in my life. Congratulations to you and thanks so much for sharing!

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  10. Laura,
    A year ago in March I did the same thing. There is nothing in this world like knowing you belong to a wonderful Savior and that life takes on a whole 'nother dimension. You are His and nothing can take you from Him. And you are free...to live your life totally for Him. It took me a long while...years...to understand that someone could love me so much to die for me so I could live for Him and go to Heaven to be with Him. I finally came to myself, accepted His wondrous gift of salvation and life will never be the same. Blessings to you on your new journey!
    Susan

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