Baptism and Rebirth

Today was our annual church picnic and baptism. Sitting by the water's edge and singing worship songs brought me right back to my own baptism. I love looking back at the day of my baptism, because I had a wonderful experience and it truly did change my life. I was baptized when I was 17 in the Colorado River on a youth group canoe trip. The canoe trip was always a very exciting time and I looked forward to it every year. I love being out in rugged nature, camping under the stars, working hard to get to the destination, and the smell of a campfire and bacon in the morning. But most of all, I love spending time with the Lord in His creation. I felt so close to Him while on that trip, and I knew that He was speaking to me. I didn't know much about baptism, but the pastor talked to me about it, and I was so excited to be able to make a public proclamation of my faith in Christ. The water was icy, but I felt so refreshed after feeling my old life washed away and my new life in Christ beginning. I had some times when I faltered in my faith after that time, but I believe that the Lord protected me from a lot of harm I could have caused myself, by His grace. I now live my life every day as a testament to what He has done in me. I was a wretched person before I knew Christ. I was hateful, selfish, dishonest and wretched. But through His blood shed for me on the cross, I am forgiven and washed white as snow. I am forever grateful for how God plucked me out of the pit and brought me to His side. I will never fully understand it, but I will always be in awe of it.