I’ve taken to daydreaming lately. In church as I sing during worship, I imagine my husband standing next to me, singing slightly out of key. As I read my Bible, I imagine him asking me about what I’m reading and a lively discussion ensues, both of us enrapt by the Word of God. I picture taking communion by his side. I wonder what his baptism will be like. What words will he share about his journey to faith?
And, oh, what a testimony it will be.
During my Bible study yesterday, I had a question that asked me to recall my own salvation experience and describe my excitement in knowing God was present with me. I really dislike questions like this personally, because mine isn’t an earthshaking salvation story. I can’t really tell you for sure when I accepted Christ. I think I did more than once as a child just to be sure it took. (Better safe than sorry, right?)
But looking back, I think I gave my heart to Jesus at the tender age of four when I was baptized (more like a christening actually). To this day I still feel the water dripping down my head and feeling very special. I remember people filling the pews and bright light streaming in through the windows around the room. I remember the small Bible given to me on this day, and taking it to bed with me each night, reverently turning the pages though I couldn’t read a word.
Time has passed and pulled my path to and fro. I wandered for a while but felt the tug of God’s hand bring me back to him. In the years since then I’ve continued to seek after him, at first out of duty or ritual, but later like an insatiable hunger pushing for more.
And I find the closer I draw to him, and the deeper He draws me to his truth, the closer I come to returning to that delighted four-year-old again.
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” -Luke 18:16
Gracious Father, you are the author of our faith, the healer of our hurts, and the source of our hope. Ignite the fire of our hearts to burn only for you. Put a hunger in us for your Word, for your presence above all else. Give us a vision of the future, of our loved ones coming to you like children. And thank you, Lord Jesus, for praying for us before we were even born! In your precious and holy name we stand, and believe. Amen.
Praying and believing (like a child),
Dineen
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