New Life

 

There is something about water.  Looking out at the ocean or a river can be so peaceful, so calming.  Yet, those same calm waters can evoke anything but peace when a hurricane strikes or a river floods surrounding areas.  The peace that brought a sense of serene and calm can turn into a sense that brings panic and devastation.  It has always amazed me that before a hurricane or rainstorms, there is typically an aura of calmness.  After the destruction, the sun comes out, but there is much to do to clean up from the destructive waters.

When I think of baptizing waters, I can’t help but have that sense of calm, of peace.  During baptism, one enters their relationship with Christ.  One goes from the death of sin to a new life – a life with Christ that frees them from that sin and moves them to a journey with God.  From that time forward, God is with them, holding them and loving them.  The calming and peaceful waters of baptism brings one from sin to the new life with Christ.

New life.  It should be peaceful and calm after baptism, right?  We all know that is not the case.  Although a child can be baptized as an infant, it doesn’t mean that their new life is free of trials.  Although an adult receives the sacramental water of baptism, it doesn’t mean that they will no longer have tribulations.    Before baptism, we are spiritually dead.  There is nothing that can save us from the death we deserve by the sins we have committed.  Just as Jesus died for our sins, without baptizing water and a new life, we would spend our eternity in hell.

Our new life, through baptism and belief in Jesus’ death and resurrection, provides us new grace and mercy each day.  It provides us forgiveness for each sin.  It gives us hope for tomorrow.  It promises us a place in our heavenly eternal home.  The newness of life through baptism gives us all that Jesus has to offer to us.  What greater blessing can we have than that?

This doesn’t mean we continue to commit the same sins over and over again.  Just as each day provides us grace and mercy, it is also an opportunity for us to continue to walk with Jesus even closer, shedding our old sins behind us and putting on the coat of righteousness that only Jesus can give.  It means reflecting on what we leave behind and focus on the beauty of the path Jesus has created, a path for each of us, that brings us to Him.

Friends, may we walk the path of a new life in Christ.  Let us begin each day repenting of our sins and praying for a new life.  Although a sense of peace and calmness may not be on our path every day, there is our Lord Jesus who is with us every day.  He will bring us through the storms of life to a place of serenity.  All we need to do is have simple faith!

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us a new life through baptism.  May we realize what those baptismal waters have brought us and strive to walk the path you have created for us.  In your loving name we pray, Amen!