Where is God in My Life? — Baptism

Do you ever wonder “Where is God in my life?” Perhaps the storms of life are such that you are totally overwhelmed. But, you don’t see the hand nor the help of God, the Lord whom you trust. Perhaps life rolls on and on with nothing exciting happening, nor anything to give you joy, or hope. Yet, perhaps you have also been a Christian, a “person of Christ,” a believer, your whole life. “Why don’t I see God? Why don’t I feel His presence. Where IS the Lord in the ebb and flow of my daily life?”

Few know that this past Tuesday, August 2, was an anniversary in my life. Few if any who were present at the time are alive today. All present on that day have since passed on. But, having been born on May 10, 1953, I was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Easthampton, Massachusetts, on August 2, 1953. I don’t remember the event, but I do have pictures. My mom and dad were present, obviously. My dad’s brother, whom I knew as Uncle Sonny, was my god-father. My mom’s aunt, my Aunt Geri, served faithfully as long as she lived as my god-mother. Those are the outward signs of my baptism.

But, for those who wonder where God is in their lives, our Lord makes promises of His on-going, saving presence and work in our lives through our baptisms. In Acts 2:38-39, Peter was moved by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day to proclaim, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off — for all whom the Lord our God will call.” In other words, when people are baptized, God forgives. In baptism, our Lord gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit. Through our baptisms, our Creator and Savior calls us to Himself. We are NOT alone! The Lord of the Universe is with us to strengthen us and to save us. (See also Colossians 2:10-14)

In Romans 6:3-4, we are told that when we are baptized we are joined to Jesus’ saving work for us in His death and His resurrection. “3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” We are not alone through our days in this life. Our Good Shepherd has brought us into His forgiving and saving death through baptism. He has raised us from death in His resurrection victory, through baptism. Christ IS with us! (See also 1 Peter 3:20-21) No wonder in his Small Catechism Dr. Martin Luther encourages Christians to rise in the morning, and to go to bed in the evening, “making the sign of the cross,” remembering one’s baptism.

Yes, Scripture is full of the promises of God for our lives. The Word of God should give us all of the hope and the strength which we need for the trials of life in this sinful world. But, sometimes we sinful and doubting people need more than just words. We need to be able to see, and to touch, and to hear what God is doing. So, knowing our weakness, God has given us special signs, or mysteries (sacraments), such as our baptism. God works powerfully to forgive and to save and to strengthen us in this gift of grace and love.

Do you know when you were baptized? Do you have any pictures, or a certificate? Take strength to know that, on the day of your baptism, our Lord reached out and called you to His saving love. He continues to be with you today, through all the trials which you face, calling you to faith and to His grace, because you are baptized.