Monday, April 14, 2014

Are You Willing?

It was Baptism Sunday at church yesterday.

I love those Sundays. 

I love hearing what each person has to say about why they decided to get baptized.

Our pastor is good to let them speak their heart.

Which isn’t treating baptism like a checklist.

This isn’t a legalistic to-do.

It is a public expression of a very personal relationship with Jesus.

And it is just precious.

I have to keep the tissues handy.

Yesterday one of the little girls I have taught in Sunday school and VBS, announced that she felt a “pulling in her heart" and wanted her mom to call the pastor about getting baptized.

She is 7.

The pastor and the little girl talked over the phone and when the mom got back on the line, the pastor heard the little girl in the background yell,

“I’M GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!”

Isn’t that awesome?

Don’t you want that excitement?

A 6th grade boy, when asked by the youth pastor what he’d like to tell the congregation about his decision to accept Christ and also be baptized, said this:

“Don’t worry about me! I’m going to heaven when I die!”

He is 12.

Isn’t that so profoundly simple?

Don’t you want that kind of assurance?

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.”

--Isaiah 43:1

His confident statement has made me think of fear.

In my bible study we are talking about David and how he became angry and afraid of the Lord when Uzzah was suddenly killed on the spot for mishandling the Ark of the Covenant.

As a result of Uzzah’s death, 

David became “unwilling” the bible says, 

to have anything to do with the ark. 

So therefore, Obed-edom housed the ark for 3 months and his whole household was blessed.
(2 Samuel 6:6-11)

Someone posted this video on Facebook of these two foreign 70-year-old ladies flying in an airplane for the first time.

One was so completely fearful and full of anxiety that it is a bit shocking she was even willing to go. Her husband said they never were able to take vacations very far from home because of her fear of flying. 

She had been “unwilling” to face her fear.
 It was paralyzing.

The other woman, who did not previously know her flying companion, was a free-spirit, full of joy and laughter who had never even heard of the word turbulence.

Not fearful at all but still never flown on an airplane because her husband was terrified of heights and “unwilling" to fly. 

Watch what happens:






Isn’t this fascinating?

Don’t you want that sense of awe 
and excitement 
and anticipation?

Who would you rather be in this duo?

I’m Team Ria all the way! 

Duh.
Anyone who laughs until 
their belly hurts has my vote!

Isn’t it interesting that An cried when she Face Timed her husband after the flight?

Do you think that her tears were in mourning of all her years of “unwillingness”?

And maybe the sting of embarrassment too?

I read in “Jesus Calling” this morning:

“The absolute certainty of your heavenly home give you Peace and Joy, to help you along your journey. You know that you will reach your home in My perfect timing:  not one moment too soon or too late. Let the hope of heaven encourage you, as you walk along the path of Life with Me."


I have no idea of Ria or An's faith, but I can see their “willingness".

And I want some of that, don’t you?



10 comments:

  1. This post has given me so much to think about especially as my theme of the year is Fear:Less. I've always been fascinated/puzzled by the story of Uzzah. I tend to react to perceived injustices or slights with the same attitude as David. It helps to think of that attitude in the term you used: unwillingness. This has so much to do with resentment after a hurt...and the fear of moving forward into a different way of life. And the tie in with these ladies' first flight...so interesting! I watched the whole video and laughed and cried with them. I'm proud of An for pushing through even though she started in fear. And I'm sure she, like all who view the piece, came away wanting to be more like Ria.

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    1. Great thoughts! I love that your theme for the year is Fear Less. I didn’t highlight how brave An was and should’ve. Thanks for the great comments!

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  2. OH MY GOSH!!!!! I just don't even have WORDS to describe how precious and FANTASTIC that video was!!! I cried and laughed all the way through it!!! I want to watch it all again!!!!!

    I love love love how you threaded the message of Christ in this story... Oh my heart. So many not willing... and yet such hope in His Light reaching ALL. Just like those precious kids you shared in their baptism.

    Pass the tissues to me please.

    And then I envision those precious women falling into the water on the beach...

    And I giggle. Smile. Sigh. And cry again.

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    1. That is one of my favorite parts too!! When the women fall into the water at the beach! I certainly want to have Ria’s outlook when I am older! Thanks for your awesome comments!

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  3. I love Baptism Sundays, too. They announced a children's baptism class yesterday. I was a teenager before I was baptized -- in a pond! Sometimes seeing children baptized draws the adults to baptism, too.

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    1. I love that you were baptized in a pond! How neat! I didn’t mention that 2 adults were baptized too with fabulous stories as well.

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  4. "a pulling in the heart" so precious and even more precious was that she responded to it. I always need tissues for the baptisms too. And belly laughs - the best!

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    1. It was the best service, Mindy!

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  5. I love it! I had seen that video, but not actually watched it until you posted it. I think it's perfect to describe what you are talking about! I am totally team An!!

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    1. I need to watch the video again--it is so good!

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