“I truly believe in Jesus, I just want to wait to be baptized,” she quietly confided, “I want to make sure I understand what I’m promising.”
I stared in amazement at this twelve-year-old girl.
I knew she believed. She truly studied her own Bible and her life mirrored a heart on fire for Christ.
At twelve, she “got it.” Faith is not a feeling.
Faith is a commitment.
She knew Jesus was committed to her. Now, she wanted a chance to read through the Bible so she knew how she should commit herself to Him.
Luke 14:33 instructs each of us to give forethought to our faith. “In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not say goodbye to all his possessions cannot be My disciple.”
That does not necessarily mean we need to literally get rid of all our material possessions, although we could. It does mean nothing else can occupy the greatest portion of our heart and mind.
Christ comes first. Always.
Is that easy?
No.
But with Christ, it’s doable.
As that sweet girl learned many years ago, before her baptism, it is possible to investigate and understand what Jesus wants from us.
He wants us to give some forethought to our commitment to Him.
And He wants us to realize we can count on Him to help us stay committed to our faith throughout our lifetime.