HD Homilies- Waves

A couple of weeks ago, our church held a “beach baptism” at Wrightsville Beach.  Because we are a Baptist church, we practice baptism by immersion.  Normally, we baptize people in our sanctuary, but at least once a year, we “dunk” folks in the ocean.

Somehow, I got elected to be one of the ministers who baptized that day.  I was truly honored to share in this special occasion for these folks making a public declaration of their faith in Christ.  Then I realized the water temperature at Wrightsville Beach was in the 60s, and I figured out why the other ministers were glad to allow me the privilege.

It truly was a spiritual moment for the ones who were baptized and for the rest of us who witnessed their step of faith.  Because there are so many variables, ocean baptisms are always a little tricky.  There are the changing tides, the height of the waves, and the water currents that move along the shoreline.  We took 10 people into the water and brought 10 people out.  I call that a successful baptism!

The baptism experience reminded me of a verse from the Psalms.  “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”  (Psalm 42:7)  I have found myself in seasons where I felt like “waves and breakers have swept over me.”  I have been knocked down and tumbled by criticism and judgment from others.  I have been held under water by self-doubt until I couldn’t catch my breath.  These things are real.

But the Psalmist has a different perspective on the waves and breakers.  He continues, “By day the Lord directs His love, at night his song is with me.” (Psalm 42:8)  I believe the scripture is describing waves of grace that come over us.  There have been times when I was over my head in the water, and ocean waves lifted me up and carried me toward the safety of shore.  I have felt the arms of God do the same in times of stress and worry.

The same Jesus who calmed the waves and walked on the water is near.  You can always reach out to him.

-Dr. Jim Baldwin