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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Christian Baptism (10/18/07)
October 23, 2007
229 words

All About Jesus


We are in the secret place behind the sanctuary up the narrow stairs to the dressing room painted Pepto-Bismol pink. From a drawer in a small worn dresser a small book is drawn and I sign my name in it and put the date. The water is warm; I am surprised, it feels like a bath. I wear my purple swimsuit under a white t-shirt under a white robe. People cheer as I am introduced, standing in the water, next to the pastor in hip waders, like fishermen wear, a white shirt and tie all the congregation can see. The congregation gazes up at us from our window in the wall; a glue-on mural of a river in the background.

I have accepted Jesus many years before and again many years after. I do not understand the pomp and circumstance. I do not understand things that look like what they are not. I return to a pew, wet hair clinging to my face. People who never spoke to me before and never have again, offer congratulatory hugs. I have joined the club.

I want only Jesus. Later, as before, I learn that my relationship is with Jesus. I learn that the better I know Jesus…reading the Bible…the more I want to be like Him and I know it is not possible. “Thank you, Jesus,” I say. I am yours.
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This article has been read 744 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
10/25/07
Much wisdom in few words - thanks for the thoughts. Love your last paragraph especially. Keep writing.
Jan Ackerson
10/25/07
The writing in your first paragaraph is particularly lovely. I wanted to read more, much more of this.
Debbie Wistrom
10/26/07
"It's not possible." I needed to hear that today, feeling a bit self-critical. Thanks for the smile.
Seema Bagai 
10/27/07
You opened the story well with vivid detail. Would like to see more detail throughout. Consider expanding this.
Lynda Schultz 
10/27/07
Your description, particularly in that first paragraph is great. I love that secret room painted Pepto-Bismal pink.

I felt another message in the middle, a subtle but one that needs us to think about it a lot.

Your ending had yet another message. When it's all said and done, when all the fanfare is over, it IS all about Jesus.

There is a lot of good stuff in this short piece. Well done.
LauraLee Shaw
10/30/07
I understand why you made this short. You are describing a large number of people, especially young children, who go through the tradition of baptism in a ritual sense--only to understand its meaning later. By keeping it brief, you have effectively communicated what baptism is to many. A blip that goes by.

I wonder if this is why so many people get baptized a second time after they understand the beauty and significance of it?

Well done.
c clemons
10/31/07
I am glad all the previous reviewers understood what you were trying to say. I am sorry to say I am confused. Especially with the last sentence that you know you cannot be like Jesus. I got the sense that you didn't understand baptism the first time you did it and nothing had changed with the second. It would seem from the MC's point of view that relationship is so private it doesn't matter that those around you are the real "church" or not.