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



Hello Rebecca. So good to know you through your profile on the blogger. I am also glad to stop by your blog "Confession of a Christian Student" and the post on it "The one After the Plunge". The baptism pictures and the testimony is are very moving and spirit lifting. I am privileged to stop by your blog post and watch your pictures with your friend who impacted your life. Every thing came so alive. I am incredibly blessed to by you and your friend Beth. I am tempted to invite you and your friend to come to Mumbai, India on a short / long term missions trip to work with us in the slums of Mumbai among poorest of poor to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to give them new hope, life and purpose. I am in the Pastoral ministry for last 34yrs in the great city of Mumbai a city with great contrast where richest of rich and the poorest of poor live. We reach out to the poorest of poor with the love of Christ to bring healing to the broken hearted. We also encourage young people like you as well as adults from the West to come to Mumbai to work with us on a short/ long term missions trip to work with us during their summer/ Christmas vacation. We would love to have you and Beth come along with your other friends to Mumbai to work with us during your summer/ Christmas vacation. I am sure it would be a life changing experience. My email id is: dhwankhede(at)gmail(dot)com and my name is Diwakar Wankhede. Looking forward to here from you soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this message. I would love to hear more about your work. I cannot commit to coming to India as of yet though. Praying for you!
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