Storytime: My Experience With Baptism

Like many people growing up in the church, I was baptized at a young age, but not able to fully comprehend the decision I was making. I learned that being baptized at a young age is common within the church.

Many people that were baptized at young age only did it because everyone else in the family did it or it was the right thing to do (this has to stop). I’m not saying that all children who get baptized don’t know the importance of that decision, but when I was ten years old I didn’t know. After that I did the bare minimum which was continuing to go to church like children do with their families. But as I grew older, I knew I had to get baptized again when I understood baptism and when I was finally ready. So fast forward to twelve years later during my senior year of college, I knew that before I stepped into the “real world” that I wanted to get baptized again. So every time I went to church and at the end of service when they did the altar call, I quietly asked God to give me a sign or to tell me when to go up there. I knew that I needed to get baptized but I was waiting on the right moment. I didn’t want to rush and do it just to get it out the way. I needed God to give me that push...and he did. So it’s exactly thirty days until I graduate from college and my church was having an event with a guest speaker. The guest speaker was a prophet and let’s just say, that prophet had some words for me. Specific words that answered many questions I was asking God during my last semester. Long story short, that was the push I needed from God to go ahead and get baptized and I did that weekend! Yall I cried! As I was getting baptized they were playing “You Know My Name” by Tasha Cobbs and during my last few months of college, that song came on the radio every time I was going through something! So I knew that was nothing but God!

Two months later

So after transitioning from college back home, I went to church but the church I was attending felt dead. I felt as if the church I was attending was not beneficial for my spiritual being so I left and found a new church that was similar to the one I was attending . After being away for four years, I was no longer attending Baptist churches (which is how I grew up), I found that Non Denominational churches suited me better, so I found a church like that. And I can say this is genuinely the first time where I can say "I'm focused on God" and actually am! I'm active in church and actively working on the relationship with myself and God.

So for those of you who just got baptized, congratulations for making a great decision! Now it’s time for work! Be intentional about your steps moving forward in Christ and getting closer to God. Remember that you can only do this for yourself!

I recommend that you find a church or if you already have a church and get involved and center yourself around people that fit your spiritual journey. I also recommend that you download the bible app to keep you grounded in the word and to deepen your knowledge about a wide range of topics associated with God and Christianity. Most importantly, change will not happen instantly! It will take time and you will notice the shift.

Before I go, here’s some things you might experience after baptism:

• You might not know what to do next or what changes to make immediately, change doesn't happen overnight...at least for some of us

• You might feel the same as if nothing happened...you might even question the decision you made

• You’ll question A LOT of things you liked or did before

• Take your time with change...don’t rush it

• Embrace the journey and don’t compare yourself to others

• People will be watching you to see if you actually changed...let them