Are you a list maker? Boy, I am – almost to the point of being OCD about it! There are times that I want to add to the list, just so I can mark it off! You may be smiling right now, but I bet you’ve done it, too! Even if I don’t write the list down – I have it in my mind as to what needs to be done and in what order I need to do it.
Today, I realized that I don’t just “make a list,” I have to do them in a specific order or I feel like its “hanging over me,” until I get it done. Then, I can sit back, relax, and well, write a blog! lol Have you ever made out your grocery list in the route that you take through the store? It’s really a smart thing to do to keep you from having to “run back” because you forget something when you were in that section. Today, was the lovely day to clean the aquarium. I started out planning on cleaning it on Thursday night – didn’t happen; Friday night – sure didn’t happen; even early this morning – I set everything out to remind me. But, alas – it was this afternoon when I finally got down and tackled the job. Well, let’s say the task – because it’s really not that big of a job, and I really don’t mind doing it. I LOVE my aquarium, but it became a dreaded job when I kept putting it off.
This got me thinking about how many are when it comes to becoming a Christian. They know that it needs to be done. They have heard the Word. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and they are willing to confess it. Then, there’s that part about repenting and baptism. True repentance is not just saying, “I’m sorry that I did that, if it gets me into trouble.” Real repentance involves the heart. You have to be so “moved” that you did something displeasing to God that you are willing to make a commitment to strive to never do it again. It’s basically like you’re walking in one direction with certain acquaintances when you come to the realization that you’re in sin and you don’t just slow down your pace. No, you turn around and RUN in the opposite direction back to God.
Then, comes baptism. The late great evangelist, Cled Wallace, said, “Baptism was put at the door of the church to let the believer in and keep the unbeliever out.” Getting dunked down in water might not make sense until you understand that it is a “type” of Jesus and his death. You are “buried” with Him in baptism (leaving your present life of sin), and you are raised out of that water, just like Jesus was raised from the grave – a new man. You are a new creature who’s main purpose in life is now to serve God. Your sins have been washed away and you will feel amazing afterwards – yet, just like cleaning out the aquarium, we put it off, and the longer that we put it off, the easier it is to make excuses. But, we know what needs to be done. Becoming a Christian should be at the “top” of the list. I pray that you’ve made that commitment. Simply blessed, Courtney
Very well said!