I realised I was now ready to take the step of handing over full control of my life to Jesus. Immersion would be a more powerful expression of the inner trust I was now able to make.

My reason for Adult Baptism

As an adult you take responsibility for your shortcomings as well as your achievements. You come to realise that most of the time your best is just not good enough.

God's best, though, is available through Jesus'  life changing love but not available to us without Him.

He loves us with all out limitations and our selfishness. If we ask him to be our Saviour, Lord and friend and entrust our life to Him then He will befriend and help us change towards God's ideal for us.

A step too far

However, when some time ago I first invited Jesus to be my friend, I didn't want to take too drastic a step into the unknown. I still wanted to keep some control. I went to Church and family house-groups and social activities, but did not want to be a full Church member. It was a private individual faith with Jesus and an informal sharing in the church on my terms.

Invitation rejected

11 years later my faith had grown. I understood more of God's love, but I was still protective of my independence and control.

I had not, during that time,  responded to the Vicar's  invitations to to anyone to become baptised and confirmed.

Powerful public expression

I was asked to personally  consider Baptism and offered the choice of baptism by immersion, (going completely under the water in a special Church pool) or by the usual sprinkling with water.

Trusting Jesus

Our Church held the service at nearby Orchard Baptist Church. (St. Margarets does not have a baptism pool.)

That experience of letting go in trust to Jesus and deeply feeling God's love was so great that space in my life for Him became much bigger and His love has a greater influence on what I am and on all I do.

A Changed life?

Absolutely! In the important ways of putting God and others first.

I have become much more aware of God's love and it creatively influences relationships and the way I do things.

God has a big job on His hands!  A lot, I know,  is not as it should be. But with his love in my heart there is always the hope which gives confidence that what ever happens, He will work all things for good. I am so thankful I made that choice and gave Him the control.

A song we sing in Church tells how a potter changes clay into a fine pot. He breaks the clay, melts it,  moulds it and makes a vessel which can be filled and used.

In my life I feel that Jesus has made me new. He has changed me and filled me. He is like a potter and I am like the clay.

Bible: Acts 9 v 36-39