This weekend, I had the absolute honor to baptize my brother-in-love and then join him in baptizing my sister, signifying their recommitment to Christ. To be allowed by God and chosen by my family was more special and joyful than I can ever express! I could feel the hands of the Holy Spirit gently hugging these precious moments with my family!
The event, however, was not without its hiccups. The enemy truly tried to interrupt the symbolic gesture, and if he couldn't interrupt, he wanted to steal the joy from this holy moment.
Baptizing my brother-in-love went smoothly, despite the fact that he is 6'5, being baptized by someone 12.5 inches shorter and in a 4 ft pool - could have been a recipe for either disaster or hilarity. Thankfully, the enemy left that moment alone. However, when it came time to baptize my sister, my words were stolen. Somehow I could not for the life of me remember the names of the triune God although I have recited them hundreds of times - Father, SON and the Holy Spirit. Three times I tried - Father.....Holy Spirit, Father....Holy Spirit, Father....Holy Spirit. Finally, I slipped the name of Jesus between Father and Holy Spirit and her husband I plunged my sister under water, raising her up in her new life of recommitment in Christ. Celebration erupted in the pool and in the congregation! Success!
But the enemy was not yet done. As I exited the pool, my legs began to tremble and failed me, almost knocking me off of the ladder. I stood at the base, afraid to move fearing my next step would include a full face plant on the floor. My sister rushed to my side, and within a few minutes (which seemed like eternity), I was once again able to walk. Take that enemy!
Then, that afternoon as I reflected on the morning's events, I returned to my familiar place of worry. This was one more episode in an as-of-yet undiagnosed malady that I have been dealing with for months. What now God? Why can't the doctors figure this out? What if I'm crazy? What do people think? As my Father is so loving, He reminded me that I am significant to Him. He sees my every struggle, my every need, my every single desire. My Lord knows the resolution, and while this earthly body is troubled with something unknown to me, God is controlling the outcome. My job is to not lose faith, trust in Him, do His will, and reflect His glory.
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth...Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:1-18,23-24 NIV)
It was God's will for me to participate in my sister and brother-in-love's recommitment and baptism, and He kept the enemy from winning. While the event didn't occur the way we expected, our Father knew how it would play out. God knows my every move. He has created me to be significant! And if I am faithful, The enemy will be defeated and God will be glorified - in the name of the Father, SON, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
