Disturbed by baptism

It is a courageous thing we do, baptizing our children.  Certainly all the drama is given over to the big wedding plans or possibly the selection of a college or maybe even that final act of our funeral, but none of these is quite as courageous as splashing water over the head of a powerless infant.

This is why.  Citizenship in this world is relinquished.  Even though that infant cannot take a step on their own in this world, the newly baptized steps into another realm.  With all the responsibilities that weigh heavy on parents' shoulders, they willingly take on yet another when they bring their infants to the font.  They make promises.  They are challenged to renew and refresh the promises of their own baptism.  They become this child's guide to Jesus, and life in the kingdom of God. They have set their child's feet upon the Jesus path; every day of this child's life will be a challenge to hold fast to the God who holds fast to them.

Too dramatic for you?  Or have we who watch and smile and congratulate the family simply gotten comfortable with this radical splashing of water?  Have we become deaf to the call of the Spirit?  Have we immunized ourselves against the realities of living out lives as baptized people of God?

Have we convinced ourselves that the water of baptism is our insurance for another time and not the starting point of living in this time and this place?  Have we turned baptism into another Hallmark moment and stripped it of its most powerful reality......that we are now joined to the death and resurrection of Jesus.....and that is never 'business as usual.'

Once upon a time a faithful servant of God poured water over your head in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and in disturbing the water simultaneously disturbed your life.  The very word life has shifted in meaning: it no longer means 'whatever you can eke out for yourself each day' but now means a connection with the Divine Creator, a shift from 'me' to 'we' and the ever present possibility of life being formed in the midst of death.  Our vision shifts from an image in our mirror to encompass the whole of humanity and parts of the world we will never glimpse with our own eyes.  Our theme song shifts from "I did it my way" to "I love to tell the story".

The water of baptism becomes our hearing aid, enabling us to hear the cries of the stranger caught in the grips of this world's forces, crushed by the weight of an
other's oppression.  The water of baptism is our physical therapy, keeping our joints well oiled as we step out into this world to bring light into dark corners and disturb evil in its work.

The water of baptism leads to a disturbed life:  now that we have tasted the wholeness of life that comes to us through and in Jesus, we are disturbed when life is diminished, locked up or out, refused or denied.  Then we are called to step into those places and disturb evil at its work.  We are baptizing warriors: warriors of life and not death, warriors who serve others rather than be served themselves.

Jesus asked the man by the pool of Bethsaida, "Do you want to be made well?" and just possibly he hesitated to answer because he wondered if he was ready .....ready to be a warrior for life and a bringer of light.

Are you ready?  As we open our eyes with each morning's light, let's allow this question to shape our day "Do you want to be made well?"  Jesus is ready .....are you?