“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20)
Although I grew up in the church and always loved God, it wasn’t until my mid-thirties that I began to seek God with all my heart and desire a personal relationship with Jesus.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
I knew God had a plan for my life and was excited and ready to devote my life completely over to Him. I decided to make my commitment official through Christian baptism by immersion.
I was very nervous about some of the details concerning immersion baptism and wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the whole process. Although I had witnessed several baptisms up to that point, there were some details still unclear to me. I wondered… Did people wear their clothes underneath the robe? Should I bring dry clothes for afterwards? What about a towel? What about my make-up and hair afterwards – would I have to walk out looking like a drowned rat? Thankfully, others who had gone before me worked-out all the possible kinks in the process.
Apparently nothing was supposed to be worn underneath the robe – not even undergarments. The baptismal robe was so thick that you couldn’t see through it even when it became wet. A nice dry towel was waiting for me when I came out of the baptistery – thank goodness! And there were some toiletries in the bathroom, complete with blow dryer and curling iron. What a relief!
There is one memory from this day that will forever be etched into my memory. While we were waiting to go down into the water, I was struck by the preacher’s apparel. He was wearing fishing waiters. I looked at him and jokingly said in my best southern drawl, “Going fishin, Preacher?”
He kind of laughed and said, “Well yes, actually I am!”
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
As Disciples of Christ, we are fishers of men too!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Catch anything lately?