Saturday, September 13, 2014

September 13, 2014: Baptism at Harvest Bible Chapel

When I found out that this weekend was the Baptism service,  I started thinking about my own walk with God.   I have thought about getting Baptized as an adult...just between me and God.  I was baptized as a baby and again with my dog in Lake Michigan,  but this time was different.   I won't need to be baptized again as I have now done this for myself as an adult.

I mentioned it to my mom and she said why do you need to do that again.  She didn't understand it.  I was sad that she didn't come with me to church tonight for my baptism.  

Harvest Bible Chapel in Spring Lake has taught me so many good messages.   The pastor says "Work for God, not for man". This message is so true as we live in a world where companies do not care about their employees and at the drop of a hat will eliminate someone's job.  This has happened to me twice at the County of Muskegon.   The first time it was in Equalization when an appraiser tech position was eliminated which made the appraiser have to bump into a clerk position leaving me to bump into the health department.  Now, 11 years later,  I am back to having my job cut due to budgetary reasons.   This is why I have to remember the pastor's message about working for God and not for man.

Anyway,  I was a little nervous about getting baptized.  I listened to a video about a couple in church who were on the brink of divorce just after marriage.  They turned their lives to God and eventually got baptized.  It brought tears to my eyes.  As I walked on stage to the back of church, the pastor's wife, Kristen Wisen, smiled and gave me a hug.  

I walked down some flights of steps to another room where I was met by several people in the church involved in the baptismal process.   I was greeted with smiles and encouragement.   I was given a plastic bag with shorts, sports bra, underwear, and t-shirt for the baptismal water.   Once I had my new clothes on. I met with Randy Moeller whom I explained what brought me to this day.   He said although life isn't always smooth,  God would be with me through it all.  We said a prayer and then I walked up the steps to another room to give them my name.   I got instructions from another person on what would happen.

As I walked out on stage to the baptismal tub, I got a little nervous.   I got in the water which was nice and warm.  Pastor David Wisen said a joke to the congregation about the temperature of the water being nice and warm which made me laugh.   I spoke through the microphone in front of the congregation about being baptized as a baby but now wanted to as an adult.  I mentioned about my dad's suicide when I was 10 and my battles with depression and anxiety and how it has been very hard this year.  I mentioned I was losing my job and knew it was time to trust and follow the Lord with my future.  I then got immersed in the water and heard a loud cheer and clap.  What a wonderful feeling to now be baptized and continue to have God direct me in my path of life.

I came down the back steps back to the first room and heard cheers and congratulations.  I got to keep the t-shirt and put the wet clothing into the laundry basket.  The church thought of everything for a baptism from the baptismal clothes, to the hair dryer, makeup, and brushes.  There was no excuse for someone to not get baptized. I came back upstairs and was greeted with a hug from a lady in my new bible study.   Thank you Lord for this great church.   It hasn't always been an easy ride, but I am glad I have stuck with it and continue to learn good messages to help me in this crazy life.