Dunked!

W got baptized yesterday. I don't know if it's really a last minute decision for him but I didn't know until a week ago. And I was *so* excited for him because he finally got over the struggle that he didn't need to be the perfect Christian before getting baptized!! And he could declare to the world that he is God's child, and that Christ is His Lord and savior for life.

A lot of people ask the question that if one believes, then one is already saved, then why baptism?? Isn't that just a (unnecessary) ritual? Why is the actual immersion baptism (signifying dying with and then rising with Christ) important?

I actually don't know how to explain that. To be honest, I don't exactly remember what went through my mind when I decided to get baptized--sometimes I also regret not remembering. And now whenever I watch others recounting testimonies and how they came to decision of baptism, and the joy that they express coming out from the water--I almost always am moved to tears... I truly believe that this is a significant milestone for a Christian.

And I think of another ceremony: wedding. Yes it is also a ritual - but to the 2 people saying "I do", it is a life-long memory. A most beautiful moment. It is there to declare to the world of the forever love two people have for each other... just same as baptism is there for us to declare to the world that we are committed to Christ and we are "married to Christ". Both are a HUGE leap of faith... the uncertainty and reality of life do not go away because we say "I do" (to another person or to God), but both commitments give us so much hope, so much joy, so much love....................

Anyways, I was so touched hearing the testimony of a 96-yr old lady who had been a Christian kinda all her life... and how she decided to get baptized because she didn't want to miss this step... and then there was W - a clip with no sound--as his church friends say--so ironic and yet so like him--a man with few words (God's definitely very humorous!). It's actually the funniest when he had to hold up his hand to briefly stop the process of baptism, slowly put on his swimming googles before getting dunked...

It's indeed a day to celebrate!