Sunday was our annual “Baptism at the Lake” service. We meet at a park-like location that a retired farmer in our area owns and maintains as a ministry for churches and other groups. It is a gorgeous place with lots of well-maintained green grass, many oak and fir trees for shade, water, electricity, port-a-potties, and a beautiful lake called “Lake Charles.” We don’t have any other services that weekend. It starts with a big “Potluck” at noon with great food and fellowship. Then it moves to a worship service, with those getting baptized sharing a testimony of their story with Jesus intermixed with singing. And then we all move to the bank of the lake where a concrete platform has been built in the water, just the right height, with a guard rail and a walkway out to it.

We had 37 people baptized Sunday and of all the baptism services that we have done over the years this one was the best for me. What made it powerful for me were the testimonies. The stories of lives being transformed by their faith in Christ was amazing. People used phrases and words like, “I was all messed up,” “I was addicted to. . .,” “I was suicidal or had attempted suicide,” “I was in prison,” “I was totally depressed,” “I was at the end of my rope,” and a number of others. All of those words and phrases were replaced by words like, “hope,” “joy,” “security,” “strength,” and “peace.” It was a beautiful display of the reality of Jesus Christ, and the power that faith in Him has to change lives.

As I listened to the testimonies I asked the question, “Did I have any part in their journey to this point today?” I asked that question of myself, not as motivated by pride, but as a motivation for myself to attempt to do even more to influence people to trust and grow in Christ. Paul declares on numerous occasions that those he had influenced towards faith in Christ and their subsequent growth in Christ were his glory both now, at the Judgment Seat of Christ, and for all eternity. That glory will come from Christ and from those he had influenced.

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Pray daily and ask God to use you as a witness for Him. Ask for opportunities, ask for boldness, ask for wisdom to say the right words, and pray for people that you know that are lost and that God will work in their lives every day.