The One After The Plunge

So yesterday, the 23rd of March I was baptised at Above Bar Church.

And it was just incredible.

Being physically baptised has not caused me to have a relationship with Christ. It is the open celebration of that relationship. I didn't realise just how much of a high I was going to get from it though (spiritually, not any dodgy dealings here! haha).  
It was just incredible to be able to share my testimony with the whole church. It was incredible to have people that I love there to hear it. It was incredible to share that special day with some amazingly special people. Lucy, Becky, April, Beth. My housemate Lucy and I went to the classes together, and it was amazing to be able to affirm eachother of the gospel.


But most of all, it was incredible to just express to awesomeness of God.

To be able to have my family hear that is something I'll cherish forever. It wasn't just that I'm happy they could come to support me. I'm overjoyed that they had the opportunity to hear the gospel. So many answered prayers all in one night!
And talking of answered prayers, I'm going to embarrass Beth once again.

At the beginning of this academic year, as a hall group leader I waited with a mix of nervousness and anticipation for the new Freshers to come to hall group. Little did I know, that God had it in mind to bring along Beth. Not yet a Christian, she had so many questions. Questions that reminded me of the core message of Christianity. She asked the questions that I had forgotten are often just assumed in Christian circles. She saw things afresh for what they were. And she questioned them. 

Not only did she question what on earth these Christians were doing, but she saw Jesus. In an age of skepticism, it is just phenomenal that God still shines through. That Beth came to faith! She investigated, she discovered and she responded. 

I will always be eternally thankful for being able to be a small part in Beth's journey. I can't quite believe that God has let me be a small puzzle piece in the new, satifying and eternal life that Beth has now started. 

As she gave her testimony, I looked to her flatmates, who had the biggest grins on their faces. I did too. I couldn't contain myself by the time she was baptised and came out of the water, and gave her a huge hug. I never imagined that that could really happen, and it did!

As you can tell, I'm buzzing.

I sin. I mess up. But Jesus still used me. He used ME. Words and actions matter. Just wow. 

I had the amazing privilege to not only celebrate my relationship with Christ, but to share that day with someone who has impacted my life in a way I can't ever explain. So yeah, Beth I think we're at the friendship stage of hugging now, just to clarify :D 

Not everyone gets to be baptised with someone that they've seen come to faith. It just blows my mind!

:D

The one before I get baptised

So, in just a matter of hours I'll be taking the plunge... into the baptism pool.

I've realised that God has called me to be baptised into his family at my church. I have to get up in front of hundreds of people and manage to stammer out my life story, before being immersed in water.
This is kind of a big deal then?
I'm doing this to signify that I have been changed by God, and that He is the ruler of my life. I'll be shaking with nerves and fighting to stay composed in front of so many people, but it's not about that. This is my way of showing publicly what God has done for me personally. 

Not only that, but I get to share the event with someone that I saw become a Christian before my eyes. How freaking awesome is that?? That kind of thing just doesn't happen to people like me, except it has!

I'll update again once I've been dunked! <3