The sky appeared almost dreary, covered in a thick blanket of gray cloud. Wasn't too out of

the ordinary, considering how erratic the weather had been lately. However I wasn't all

that pleased with it, feeling as though it might rain any second, which would be horrible

considering the circumstances.

Slowly I stepped one foot at a time into the water. The lake was cold today, which I

expected, as I felt a chill run through my entire body. The chill wasn't simply from the

cold however. I was...well, I wasn't too nervous but I was a little. But it wasn't really

anything complicated. It was important but I definitely wasn't worried.

There was a line of others in front of me and behind me in the water. The order went from

youngest to oldest. A young girl whom I guessed was about seven or eight years old was

first and a few people behind me in the back was a couple maybe in their mid-thirties. I

was near the middle, being eighteen. I could tell I wasn't the only one who was cold

either. The two in front of me who were about my age were both whispering to each other

about the freezing lake.

There was a man waiting at the front of the line for each of us, who also appeared rather

chilly.

Even though we were all uncomfortable though we all were cheery. Everyone in the line was

excited and happy to be right there in that moment. A moment that would be something of a

turning point for them. A moment that would be a turning point for me.

Along the shore were several others who all were watching with eagerness and joy in their

hearts. I could see several of my family and friends as well, some of which were holding

cameras. Oh joy. I didn't really mind I guess, but still. You know how family are.

Before I knew it the line had caught up. It was my turn. I approached the middle-aged man

with round glasses slowly and stood next to him. I crossed my arms and held my nose with

one hand.

"Are you ready?" he asked me with a chuckle as I struggled to arrange my arms in the right

position.

I nodded and he spoke.

"By the power of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the

Holy Spirit."

And with that he leaned me backwards into the water and pulled me back up. To be completely

honest, the first thought that ran through my head was, "Wow that's cold!", but then the

reality started to sink in as I waded back to shore.

I had just been baptized.

It's funny...I noticed how while we were singing just before we started the baptism up

until the end when we were all finished...the sun decided to shine through that thick veil

of stratus looming above.

----

So yeah guys, this was just this past Sunday. I decided to finally get myself baptized.

Why? Because as Christians, we are commanded to do it.

Does that mean we're going to hell if we don't? No.
The man who was nailed to a cross next to Jesus when he was crucified asked Him for

forgivness and gave his heart to the Lord at that moment. What did Jesus say?

"Today you will be with me in paradise."

Something like that right? But even still. To refuse to be baptized is pointless.
It's a way to glorify God and give thanks for what he's done, it symbolizes your old life

dying and being reborn as one of His children, and it's also a public announcement of your

faith.

So while it's not completely necessary, it's still important to do. God commanded it

afterall.

Does this mean I'll be a perfect Christian from now on?
By all means, no.

Baptism doesn't eliminate all sin from my life and will not cause me to suddenly reject

anything sinful. I'll still be tempted and I'll still have sinful thoughts. Heck, I can

remember probably several within the past few days.

Does this baptism make me any different?
Heavens no...yes that pun was somewhat intended.

I'm still the same me I've always been. I'm still the same Nintendo loving, rocker, artist,

geek I've always been. Maybe I'll watch what I do a little more but even still.

So one thing you must understand about me as a Christian. I may swear sometimes. I may

listen to angry music like Disturbed and System of a Down. I may do an awful lot of things

that really are just fiction and have nothing to do with God. I may notice a rather

attractive girl and think "Hey, she's pretty hot."

But I'm still a Christian and a firm believer in Christ, through and through.

So I must tell you all this, whether you want to hear it or not.
God loves you. He wants you to come to him and repent for your sins. He wants to get to

know you personally and even when things seem hard and it seems he's forgotten you, it's

not true. God allows things to happen for a reason. I'm going through a lot of stuff right

now but I'm trying my absolute hardest to sit back and trust him for what he's doing

because you know what? I'm going to admit this.

I hate an awful lot of things about where my life is going.

And I'm going to say why right here and now.

My job sucks and I'm constantly filled with depressed thoughts in my head every

morning I go there. I miss my ex terribly. I worry that I'm too lazy and too much of a slob

to be a successful comic artist. I often feel my mind is cluttered with so much

distraction. I often feel that my thoughts are sometimes more perverted than necessary. I

doubt my faith in Christ. Every time I try to start a project it never goes anywhere. I'm

terrified of doing something for the Lord, like going on a missions trip or even just

telling a friend about Him. I have next to no female friends and any girl I ever feel

slightly attracted to is or is nearly an impossibilty. I don't feel like I fit in often.

I'm paranoid about certain things. I know people who are gay, bi, transexual...and I don't

know how I feel about it, if it's even right.
But most importantly.

I wish my friends could just believe in Him too.

But I still believe in God. I still believe he loves me and is looking out for me and I still believe that in the end, none of this shit is going to matter. Excuse my language.

There. I said it.
Now you understand me better.

So I'm not going to shove this down your throat. I'm not slapping you in the face with a bible and forcing you to believe.
I just want you all to know who I am.

I am a believer in Christ Jesus, and that's all there is to it.