Seven years ago today my daughter Zoey, who was 5 years old at the time, was baptized.  It was an incredible celebration as she outwardly displayed what was going on inside of her, with an awe inspiring maturity of faith.

While it would be easy to assume that at the tender age of 5 my husband and I pushed her into this decision, the opposite is actually true.  Certainly, the way we practiced faith in our home, taking her to church, reading the Bible, the members of the body of Christ we spent time with, were an influence on her.

My husband Eric and I actually tried to talk her out of this.  We were not certain she understood the meaning and significance of such a decision.

When the time came to sign up for the baptism event at our church Zoey was gung ho about getting her name on the list.  So we told her she needed to sit down with us and talk about what we believe baptism is, what it means.

Zoey’s response was immediate, blatant, and succinct.  She said, “Mom, I have Jesus in my heart.  That’s all I need to know to get in the water!”

Out of the mouths of babes.

In that moment, that beautiful eye opening moment, I was put in right place by my five year old.  I could not argue with her at all.  If she had enough knowledge to know she had Jesus with her, then we were not going to stop her from getting into that water.  Instead we would whole-heartedly support what God was doing in her life.

Live It Out

I can not tell you how many times I rejoice at the bold confidence and courage that my daughter shows.  It is inspiring and is an answer to so many of my prayers.

If I am completely honest, I wish I had more of that courage, confidence, boldness, and downright gumption that she has.  I think back on how many times I have had something before me, right in front of me, and I let it slip by.  I choked.  I did not speak up or act.  Or the thing I am most notorious for, I overthought it.

I let my anxious mind click away like a mad ticker tape…what if…what if…what if.  I let my doubts, fears, and what I did not know to paralyze my productivity.  Where I did not have answers, I stalled with anxiety.

“Then Jesus came to them and said,
‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.‘”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth.  In his own words he promises to be with us always.

With Jesus, we’ve got all we need.

When my daughter was baptized, she knew that.  To me, her boldness revealed a faith more like a watermelon seed than a mustard seed.

So many times I stand on the verge and then shirk away.  I doubt and drastically underestimate the impact that I have upon the lives that I connect with each day.  I have moments when I think that what I do day in and day out adds such little value.  I think if I was suddenly gone, no one would notice, or worse that I would be easily replaced with someone better.

In those times I need the reminder that with Jesus, I’ve got what I need.  With Jesus, I can trust that whatever the outcome is it is not outside of His power, His sight, and His wisdom.  Come what may, Jesus with be with me always.

“When I called you answered me;
you made me bold and stouthearted.”
Psalm 138:3 (TLB)

What are some of the circumstances you are facing in your life right now?
What are are you feeling weak, doubtful, uncertain, or anxious about?
What do you feel like you are not enough for?

Call Jesus.  Spend some time talking with Him about your answers to these questions.  Ask Him to give you a glimpse of His glory in a new way, to help bring you to new revelation about who Jesus is.

Then tell yourself with all the gumption of a determined 5 year old, “With Jesus, I’ve got what I need!”

Pray Through It

Beloved Lord Jesus, we call out to you looking for answers.  Lord, remind us of Your character and Your authority.  Remind us of all You have been given by God the Father, and all You have given us through the Holy Spirit.  Put promptings in our paths that draw our attention to Your presence that is with us always. 

Lord, remind us that we are valuable and treasured.  Help us to not underestimate our worth, but to come to You for affirmation of who we were created to be.  Thank You for always listening to us and being available when we call out to You.  

Lord, take our doubts, worries, and anxieties, replace them with a boldness, confidence, and courage to get into the waters, to move forward, and respond with stouthearted obedience to what You ask of us.  

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.