“I could just sit –

I could just sit and wait for all your goodness

Hope to feel your presence.

And I could just stay,

I could just stay right where I am and hope to feel you,

Hope to feel something again.

And I could hold on,

I could hold on to who I am and never let You change me from the inside,

And I could be safe;

I could be safe here in Your arms and never leave home

Never let these walls down.

But you have called me higher

You have called me deeper

And I will go where you will lead me Lord,”

“Called Me Higher” by All Sons & Daughters

Let me just tell you, friends, at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of witnessing a move of the Holy Spirit.

I had the opportunity to watch my beautiful kiddo and my husband washed in the waters of baptism.

I had the pure joy of seeing them proclaim to the world, to the congregation and, most importantly, to God that they accepted Jesus.

However, the miraculous nature of the day didn’t end there.

At the beginning of the baptisms, the pastors announced they had 10 people committed to baptism that day, but there was always room for more.

With a huge plastic water trough set up, my pastors climbed into the waters and beckoned forth those in line.

My kiddo was handed over to the pastors by my husband who offered her a supportive grin.

I couldn’t hear what they said, but all of the sudden, my husband climbed into the water to hold her and help her take the plunge into new life.

What a blessing that her own father could be right there with her during her baptism!

He then was covered over in the waters of baptism himself, and I have to admit, tears of joy leaked down my face as I went to meet both of them afterward.

Yet, even that is not the end of the blessings of that day.

The line of those accepting Christ grew and grew until they ran out of towels for them.

Even though they knew they’d be wet and cold with no hope of drying off, the Spirit moved them to proclaim their new life in Christ before the church.

It was one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever seen.

It made me recognize what John meant when he wrote, “For from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” in John 1:16-17.

Grace upon grace was laid thick that day upon all of us there. Those in the waters, those baptizing and those looking on.

This, my friends, is why I believe in the Lord.

He moves souls to recognize him. He moves mountains placed in front of us, and he loves us even before we come to love him.

I’ve tried, over my time writing this column, to impart to you just how much the Lord has to offer and what he has done and continues to do in my life.

I don’t know if I’m doing a good job of it – but friends, I just want you to have a little glance into the miracles that have happened in my life.

I want you to see that this Sunday was just a snapshot of what God is doing in my little life and the lives of those around me. In our little town.

Across this world.

But friends, I wish I could just show you the path he laid before my feet even when I was refusing to walk it.

I wish I could let you feel the relief, acceptance and joy that I felt when he forgave me and let me find my place among his people.

I wish I could give you a picture of the love and thankfulness that was on the face of everyone who came out of that water.

I can’t convince you of the true acceptance and true mercy that myself and so many others have found in the love and peace of Christ, but I can share my truth and my experiences.

I can’t put that in your heart, but I can show you what God has done to mine.

The song I quoted at the beginning of this tale was playing as my kiddo was baptized. I sang the words as tears poured down my face and I watched her being brought into the Kingdom.

I didn’t realize it until later, but the day was highly important for my little family – but it also gave me a new understanding of what life really is.

I waste a lot of time on things that don’t matter, my friends.

Facebook posts, inane TV shows and worrying about what will happen tomorrow.

Our highest calling, as human beings, was put out on display on Sunday.

“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'” – Matthew 22: 27-40.

We must love God with everything we have, and then, as the people of the church hugged and rejoiced and embraced my family in celebration of new life, we must love others as ourselves.

Have you felt that calling, dear readers? But more importantly, have you answered?

I know I have felt it – but I haven’t been answering it as I should be.

Let’s all take the plunge, go all in and find that higher calling that has been laid before us, just as I witnessed so many do on Sunday.

We might come out a little wet – We might not have a towel … but I know our hearts will be warm and our souls will be free.