I died

Today I was born. No it's not my birthday, I did not exit the womb today, but it is my birthday indeed. The irony of it is, it is also the day I died.

Yep, I died

About 11 years ago, Easter Sunday, I was baptized into Christ. I went to give my confession of faith the Sunday night before Easter and waited until the following Sunday. Every Easter I remember my baptism and what a great thing it is to equate my point of salvation because of what Christ did, all the while observing the risen Savior all at the same time. 

So I went down under the water, into the grave as I was to do before I made the decision to allow Christ to be my King (I never really doubted that he was!). But then I rose, just like my Savior (minus the resurrection body...one day!), renewed and overcome, and the Spirit has been dwelling in me ever since. Even as young as I was and even through all the ridiculous things I did as a teenager, I remember being dormant in spirit. 

One day I recognized this dormancy, I realized the kind of vigor everyone else had. I decided that this Jesus person that I've heard about all my life is the one who can save my life. Pretty mature huh? Nope. At eight years old I saw my best friend get baptized at the church she was attending at the time and after the service I broke down. I cried, I was telling my mom that I wanted to be baptized, that I had heard about Jesus from her all this time and never decided to do this, I told her it was time.

But, it wasn't time.

I can remember that for two years afterward (and some of you will think I'm exaggerating) I never heard the invitation given at church. My mom would ask me, "Emilie why didn't you go up today?" My confused reply would always be "I didn't hear him (the preacher) say it!". Call it a small child's A.D.D., call it providence, nonetheless, I never heard it. Until one fine Sunday evening. 

I was looking down at my hands, and it was like nothing else from the sermon that night had resonated. But I heard the invitation, I heard him give the invitation and as we were singing the hymn of invitation I told my  mom simply "let me out". I gave my confession and the next Sunday I was baptized. It wasn't until later that I remembered that it was actually Easter. 

So I died with Christ, and I was raised with him, on a day much like today, on a holiday that observes his resurrection. I'm so glad God opened my ears that evening at church or this woman that you know, or read about, would not be the same person, I doubt I would know you at all had Christ not been put in my path. 

Get up and open your ears, let the invitation be heard. Christ is risen and waiting, no bones bear witness to his still being dead, their is no tomb as empty as his. Happy Easter.

All to God