Remembering Our Baptisms: Walking in Faith Every Day

This week’s Scripture comes from Luke 3:15-17 and 21-22, a passage full of wonder, expectation, and divine affirmation. The people of John the Baptist’s time were waiting, yearning for the Messiah. They watched John baptizing and wondered, “Could it be him?” But John pointed them beyond himself to Jesus, who would baptize not with water alone but with the Holy Spirit and fire. When Jesus was baptized, the heavens opened, and God’s voice affirmed, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you, I am well pleased.”

This moment, rich with meaning, anchors our understanding of baptism and what it means for us as disciples of Christ.

The Journey Begins: First Steps in Faith

The sermon opened with a question that drew us back to the earliest milestones of our lives: Do you remember your first steps? While most of us don’t recall the moment we first walked, we trust it happened. We have photos, stories, and the undeniable proof that we walk every day, often without thinking. Walking has become second nature—until something disrupts it, like an icy sidewalk or an uneven path.

This imagery connects beautifully to our spiritual lives. Just as walking becomes second nature, so too can our faith practices. We pray, attend church, or serve others, sometimes without truly thinking about their deeper significance. But disruptions—be they personal challenges, global crises, or moments of divine intervention—jolt us awake. They force us to reconsider our steps and remind us of God’s sustaining presence.

Baptism: A Symbol of Renewal and Purpose

Baptism is one such awakening. It calls us to remember who we are and whose we are. The water of baptism, like the Spirit it symbolizes, has been present from the beginning. From the Spirit hovering over the waters at creation (Genesis 1:1-2) to Moses striking the rock to bring forth water in the wilderness (Exodus 17:6), water in Scripture is a recurring symbol of God’s provision, cleansing, and renewal.

When we reaffirm our baptisms, we reconnect with this profound truth: God has been with us from the start. The same God who declared Jesus as His beloved Son declares us as His beloved children. Baptism is not merely a ritual or a one-time event; it is a daily reminder of our identity in Christ and our mission in the world.

Living Our Baptisms: Walking with Purpose

The beauty of baptism lies not just in what it represents but in what it calls us to do. It anchors us in God’s unconditional love and empowers us to live as witnesses to His work. This calling challenges us to walk in humility, grace, and faith, even when the path is slippery or uncertain.

This past week’s icy weather offered a metaphor for these challenges. Ice disrupted our routines, forcing us to tread carefully and think about every step. Likewise, faith sometimes feels precarious. Yet, as we navigate life’s difficulties, we are reminded that Christ walks with us, guiding and steadying our steps.

The Trinity Revealed: A Divine Affirmation

In Jesus’ baptism, we see the Trinity revealed: Jesus the Son in the water, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, and God the Father affirming His love. This moment is a powerful reminder of God’s presence and partnership in our lives. Jesus didn’t need to be baptized—He chose to be, setting an example for us and marking the beginning of His ministry.

Through baptism, we are drawn into this divine relationship. We are reminded that we are not alone in our journey. The Holy Spirit empowers us, Christ walks alongside us, and God’s love surrounds us.

A Call to Remember

As Christians, we are called to remember our baptisms daily—not just as an act of recollection, but as a way of life. To remember our baptism is to remember that we are made new each day in Christ. It is to walk in gratitude for God’s grace, to serve others with humility, and to shine as a light in the world.

This is no small task. We will stumble, doubt, and fall short. But even when we feel broken or distant from God, baptism reminds us that we are loved, forgiven, and called to a greater purpose. As the sermon proclaimed, “I don’t care how damaged you think you are. Christ is here, and Christ is with you.”

Moving Forward in Faith

As we remember our baptisms, let us also remember the water’s significance: it is a sign of God’s eternal presence, a source of life and renewal. Whether you feel confident in your walk with God or as though you’re learning to walk all over again, take heart. Every step, no matter how small or faltering, is a step toward Christ.

In the words of the sermon: “We are born again in the water. We are made new each and every day, each and every step.”

This week, reflect on your baptism. Consider the ways God is calling you to walk with purpose and faith. As we journey together as a community, may we find strength in the knowledge that we are beloved children of God, walking hand in hand with Christ toward His kingdom.