As a progressive, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
There’s a song that goes like this: “Wade in the water; wade in the water children. Wade in the water; God’s gonna trouble the water.”
In Scripture we read Jesus coming to the water to be baptized by his cousin John, where he was proclaiming a baptism of repentance. Now, repentance means change. To repent is to have a change of attitude, a change of heart, a change of mind, a change of behavior. Repentance is change.
It isn’t groveling for pardon, it isn’t self-hatred; it’s daring to change; it’s doing what must be done to foster healing and growth. John’s baptism wasn’t about embracing self-condemnation, it was an invitation to embrace healing change; to let go of the past and dare to create a different and better future.
Repentance is change; it’s powerful change. And Spirit is power.
John said, “I baptize you with water, but the one coming after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” What is spirit? The Hebrew and Greek words for spirit both have meanings of “power, wind, breath, life-force, energy.” So a baptism of the spirit is a baptism of power. The Holy, the whole spirit, all of the power and presence of God.
Baptism is about newness, positive change, moving forward; it’s an identity in the teachings and spirit of Jesus, embracing new attitudes and new possibilities. New ideas, new beginnings, new experiences of empowerment.
As Mark recalls Jesus’ baptism, Jesus is affirmed as a child of God. The spirit descended on him like a dove and affirmed his sacred value. Baptism is an affirmation of our sacred value. It isn’t a washing away of original sin; it is an affirmation of original blessing; a reminder that we are God’s children.
And baptism isn’t only an individual experience, it’s a community celebration. Every time someone is baptized, it’s a reminder that we are meant to work together, to join our gifts and talents, to share the good news of God’s inclusive love, to continue the work of justice and compassion that Jesus modeled.
It’s not about how much water we use (sprinkled, poured, dabbed or dunked,) it’s about being immersed into a life of spiritual purpose. It’s an outward sign of an inward grace. It’s not receiving power from the water or the one doing the baptism, it’s a reminder that God’s divine light is always within you.
As being baptized is not about the water, it’s also not about the formula or “magic words” used; it’s about being immersed into a life of purpose, a life of promoting hope and healing, joy and justice, peace and empowerment.
As we celebrated Black History Month, I was reminded that Dr. King’s activism is an example of the baptism of the Spirit in Jesus’ name. By affirming the sacred value of all people and dedicating his life to promoting justice and healing, he was immersed in the power of divine purpose.
Isn’t that what our ministry is all about? It isn’t about preserving what was; it’s about imagining what can yet be.
It isn’t about clinging to the past; it’s about exploring the infinite possibilities of the future.
It’s not only about revering history; it’s about making it!
Today is a reminder that we are each being called to a life of purpose. We are being challenged to be immersed in purpose. To help make a difference in our world.
I was inspired and challenged at the Creating Change Conference in Denver by the National LGBTQ Task Force. What an energy, as young and old activists together, gathered to actively tear down barriers to freedom, equality and justice for all. It was an intense time of discussing issues, education and inspiration.
I was thrilled to see community leaders from San Diego and MCC leadership from all over participating in the conference. I was most moved at a workshop given by people on the ground in Ferguson, MO. on #blacklivesmatter and the importance of keeping this justice movement alive and not let it get watered down by saying all lives matter; yes, all lives matter, but until there is equality there is more work to be done.
In his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “… we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”
The early church changed the world by confronting poverty, disease and imperialism. Dr. King changed our society by confronting poverty, racism and unjust war.
This year, MCC is celebrating 45 years of being a spiritual presence in San Diego; bringing people closer to God and one another. We have made a big difference by being one of the founding LGBT organizations and being the first to own our own building. We stand on the shoulders of many who have gone on before us. Let’s continue to build upon our rich history.
Let’s allow ourselves to be immersed in the power of purpose and continue to move forward to celebrate our sacred value and to tell more and more people that they too, just as they are, are part of creation that is very good!
Will we work for justice? Will we offer hope? Will we embrace joy? Will we wade in the waters of positive change?
I am immersed in divine grace.
I am immersed in abundant hope.
I am immersed in the power of purpose.
I am drenched with God’s love.
(Affirmation by Dr. Durrell Watkins)
