This was originally published on September 22, 2024, on another platform. Everything I said still rings true. It was an outward declaration of an inward change, and it was, and still is, important to me. It was one way for me to stand up and say, “I love the Lord and I am his”. If there’s anyone considering baptism or a second baptism in some cases, I urge you to do so. There’s a reason it’s being laid on your heart.
Today I was baptized.
I walked the aisle and was baptized at a young age, but over time, I came to realize that I didn’t fully understand what I was doing at the time. Years later, I prayed and was saved, but I was embarrassed and didn’t take the step to get rebaptized afterward.
My relationship with God has been complicated, and over the years, my heart hardened and I drifted further and further from Him.
Over the last 2 years God has been working on me and in my life. There have been trials and heartbreak, but there have also been blessings and renewal. Sometimes God has to break us down to get our attention so that he can rebuild us into who he has called us to be.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 says “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
I thank God that he removed my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh and I am doing my best to be obedient to Him. I’ll never be perfect, but I know without a doubt that He loves me anyway.
Baptism symbolizes what has already happened in my heart, but it is also meant to be a public declaration of faith and a sign of commitment. If you’re considering taking this step, I urge you to do so. And if you’ve turned away from God, He will always welcome you back with open arms and all you have to do is just call out to Him.
Luke 15:7 says “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”